How Does Ozone Kill Mold? A Detailed Guide For Mold Removal

Asking, “how does ozone kill mold” gives you more ways to handle mold infestations. Ozone kills mold by interacting with its spores and cells.

This interaction changes the mold’s chemical structure, rendering it inactive or dead. Of course, knowing that ozone kills mold is not enough.

how does ozone kill mold

Is treating mold using ozone effective; or is it safe? Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about ozone and mold.

 

How Does Ozone Affect Mold?

Ozone is a molecule of three oxygen atoms. In contrast, the oxygen gas we inhale only has two atoms.

This extra atom can detach from the molecule and interact with other elements and compounds. With that said, ozone can interact with mold cells and its spores, too.

Ozone chemically changes everything it interacts with. Ozone can easily make changes within the fungus and its spores, effectively killing them.

 

Are Ozone Generators Effective?

Theoretically, exposing mold to ozone can kill them. However, this is only a viable alternative to remediation in theory.

In practice, using ozone to kill mold can be highly inefficient. There are too many issues when it comes to using ozone generators as a way to kill mold.

First, you will need to ensure that your home is airtight. Until you close all gaps and vents, your ozone generators cannot produce enough ozone to kill mold.

Sealing all of the airways in your home is too much effort and nearly impossible. Mold remediation services can provide easier and quicker alternatives when it comes to cleaning out the fungi.

In addition, ozone affects everything through oxidation. Once it comes into contact with items in your home, the molecules begin to break them down.

Ozone can damage and destroy your carpets, your walls, and your appliances. Of course, this only happens in theory.

Ozone generators do not produce enough ozone to affect the air around you. Up to date, there is still no scientific evidence that these generators effectively remove odors and kill airborne particles.

If these generators were to produce high levels of ozone, it can potentially harm you, too.

 

Are Ozone Generators Safe?

Ozone generators are safe to use because they do not produce large amounts of ozone. However, if they did, it could cause adverse health effects.

If ozone can harm mold cells, it can harm yours as well. Ozone is a highly reactive gas that is often found in smog.

It can damage living cells, including those present in human lungs.

When inhaled in excess, ozone can cause coughing, breathing difficulty, and inflammation of the airways. Also, ozone can aggravate lung conditions and leave the lungs susceptible to infections.

 

How Do I Get Rid Of Mold In The Air?

Instead of using ozone generators, you may consider using HEPA filters instead.

High Efficient Particulate Air filters are mechanical air filters. These filters can remove at least 99% of dust, pollen, and mold spores in the air.

It’s also important to remember that these filters are preventative measures. They can possibly remove mold spores in the air, but they will not kill any mold already present.

Although, despite the efficiency of HEPA filters, they also need thorough maintenance. They require regular replacement and cleaning to work well.

Luckily, these machines come with manuals that can help users operate them.

For more information regarding mold spores, check out this helpful article on how long fungal spores stay in the air. If you suspect that your home is developing mold, you can also click here to know on how to tell if there is mold in your air ducts.

 

How Do I Kill Mold?

To kill mold effectively, you must first find it.

Usually, a visual inspection will tell you where the fungi are growing. Other times, you may have to rely on your nose.

Once you find it, you must fix what caused the growth in the first place. It would be best to fix any leaks to kill mold and prevent them from coming back effectively.

You can then use homemade solutions to brush away and kill mold. Baking soda, bleach, and vinegar are homemade items that you can try using to kill off the fungi.

It would be best to avoid mixing all of the chemicals into one solution. Putting vinegar and bleach together can create toxic fumes and harm you and your family.

When working with mold, it would be best to use protective equipment. Gloves, goggles, and face masks should protect you enough from the harmful effects of spores.

Alternatively, you can call a mold remediation professional. For a fee, these professionals can use special types of chemicals and equipment to quickly and effectively kill any mold growth in your home.

 

Conclusion

Knowing how does ozone kill mold is interesting in theory but bad in practice. Ozone is an unstable gas that can interact with and damage living cells.

To be effective, ozone needs to be highly concentrated to the point that it can harm you and everything in your home.

When dealing with mold, it would be best to avoid using ozone altogether. Instead, you can use homemade solutions or call experts to achieve better effects.

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