Ozone

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Description of first aid measures:

- Ozone is not only mainly, but exclusively absorbed via the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract (and eyes).

- Remove victim(s) to fresh air while protecting yourself.

- After contact with solutions containing ozone, take off immediately all contaminated clothing.

- In case of feeling unwell, get medical advice.

- Keep at rest, prevent from heat loss.

If inhaled:

- After inhaling small amounts of ozone: Remove victim(s) to fresh air.

- After inhaling larger amounts of ozone: Remove victim(s) to fresh air and keep at rest while protecting yourself (respiratory protection device, full protection suit, gloves).

- Check consciousness.

- In case of shortness of breath: Let the victim inhale oxygen.

- In case of apnea: Reanimation, artificial respiration

- Provide for quick medical help.

If in eyes:

- Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.

- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do.

- Continue rinsing.

If on skin:

- Absorption via intact skin is insignificant

Most important acute and delayed symptoms and effects:                    

- Shortness of breath

- Obnubilation, unconsciousness

- Disturbances in the central nervous system (headache, dizziness, etc.)

- Aching and burning eyes and skin

Possible hazards:          

- After inhaling high concentrations (>2 ppm), risk of pulmonary edema (X-ray check!)

- Risk of secondary pneumonia

Information on immediate medical help or special treatment:

- Respiration by oxygen, if necessary

- Monitor circulation

- Subsequent observation of pneumonia and pulmonary edema. If first signs occur, administer Prednisolon in high doses.

- In case of lung irritation: Initial treatment with Dexamethasone, e. g.  Auxilosone

Fire-fighting measures

Ozone is not flammable, but classified as oxidizer (category 1) and may cause or intensify fire. Use standard extinguishing agents for indicated burning materials.

In case of fire: Stop leak if safe to do so.

Accidental release measures

Turn off ozone generator, and ventilate the area. Evacuate the area until ozone levels subside.

Person-related precautions:

- Evacuate all personnel from hazard area.

- Provide for proper ventilation.

- When leaving the hazard area, do not breathe deeply. If possible, use protective breathing devices (escape filter).

- Warn co-workers in surrounding area.

- Keep away ignition sources.

- Use personal protective equipment (PPE).

- Take persons to safe place while protecting yourself.

Environmental measures:

- Interrupt ozone generation.

Cleaning measures:

- In the event of malfunction, air exchange taking place at least ten times per hour should be possible to be carried out. The extracted air must be replaced with fresh air.

When searching for leakage:

- Make sure ozone generation is interrupted.

- Must only be carried out in air (when ozone levels have subsided) or using a oxygen device.

Handling and storage

Ozone must be contained within ozone-resistant tubing, pipes and gas-kits from the generation point to the application point. Any leaks must be repaired before further use.

Keep valves and fittings free from oil and grease.

Keep away from clothing or other combustible materials.

Ozone is locally produced and consumed and is not stored in containers. Hence labeling with hazard pictogramms and risk and safety phrases is not applicable. Pipes that carry ozone have to be labeled with the name "Ozone" and an arrow to indicate the direction of the flow. For labeling of ozone generating units see "Directive on the use of ozone for water treatment if applicable.

Information on safe handling:

- Provide for suitable exhaust at the processing machines.

- Provide for proper room ventilation incuding in the floor area (vapors are heavier than air).

- Operation of ozone generating systems (> 2 g ozone/h) requires monitoring the ozone concentration in the ambient air.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

NOT APPLICABLE, as ozone is unstable and either reacts with other substances in the environment or decomposes, and therefore must be generated at the location and time of use.

Shipping

Labels:

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SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

NOT APPLICABLE, as ozone is unstable and either reacts with other substances in the environment or decomposes, and therefore must be generated at the location and time of use.

Shipping

Labels:

-

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

NOT APPLICABLE, as ozone is unstable and either reacts with other substances in the environment or decomposes, and therefore must be generated at the location and time of use.

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

-

Chemical name:

-

Labels:

-

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

NOT APPLICABLE, as ozone is unstable and either reacts with other substances in the environment or decomposes, and therefore must be generated at the location and time of use.

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

-

Chemical name:

-

Labels:

-

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Preconditions for safe operation of an ozone device:

- Ozone generation systems must be placed in closed, lockable rooms.

- Rooms which ozone generation systems are placed in must not be used as permanent workplace. If this is not possible for process related reasons, it must be assured that ozone concentration in ambient air at the workplace does not exceed the occupational exposure limit value.

- Rooms in which, in case of failure, ozone leakage can occur must be effectively monitored with gas detectors with optical and acoustic signal which interrupt ozone generation when triggered. This is not required for rooms in which ozone-bearing piping without detachable connections, which was tested for leakage by a qualified person, is present.

- Rooms with ozone generation systems must be labeled accordingly.

- Rooms which ozone generation systems are placed in must be equipped with technical exhaust ventilation. It must be installed in such a way that the suction opening of the sucking ventilation is placed directly above the floor and is switched on automatically when the gas detector is triggered, at least a three-fold air exchange must be assured. (This is not valid for rooms with negative pressure systems with preformance not higher than 500 g/h of ozone per processing cycle.)

Technical protection measures:

Use ozone destruction units (thermal and/or catalytic) for off gassing ozone.

Organisational protection measures:

- Instruction must be provided before employment and then at a minimum of once per annum thereafter.

- An escape and rescue plan must be prepared when the location, scale, and use if the work-site so demand.

- Only employees are permitted to enter the work areas.

- Change clothing that has been in contact with or taken up any of the gas and air the clothing far from any sources of ignition.

- People with cardiac pacemakers or other electric implants are not permitted to enter a room with a ozone generation system.

Hand protection:

- Wear protective gloves.

Body protection:

- Wear protective clothing.

- Depending on the risk, wear tight protective clothing or suitable chemical protection suit.

- Protective suits have to be checked for embrittlement after each use.

Eye protection:

- Wear eye protection.

- If there is a risk of gases escaping eyes should be protected.

- When handling solutions containing ozone, chemical safety goggles must be used as well as a protective shield.

Respiratory protection:

- In case  the threshold limit value (TLV) is exceeded, use appropriate breathing protection when rescuing injured persons.

- In case of low concentrations / short term rescue operation: Filter apparatus with gas filter NO-P3 (code color blue-white) or CO (color code black).

- In case of longer term rescue operations / line breakage: Self-contained breathing apparatus (e.g. airline systems or compressed air breathing apparatus)

- Possibility of analysis: Breathing air check by gas detection tubes.

Stability and reactivity

Ozone is highly unstable and highly reactive. Ozone will readily react and spontaneously decompose under normal ambient temperatures.

Thermal decomposition products:

- Ozone is not persistent and decomposes to oxygen.

- The halflife in ambient air is 12 hours.

Reactivity:

- Flammable substances: Ozone can react with flammable substances.

- Reducing agents: Ozone can react with reducing agents.

- Organic substances: Ozone oxidizes organic substances.

Dangerous chemical reactions:

- Ozone attacks all metals except for precious metals and special alloys.

- Explosion hazard when in contact with:

a) Acetylene; alkenes (→ ozonides); aniline; benzol, cyclopentadiene, camphor (rarely), diethyl ether, rubber (rarely), carbon powder

b) Ammoniac; stibine; bromine; bromhydric acid; cyanogen; fluorine;

   carbon monoxide, manganese dioxide; phosphine, nitrogen oxide, hydrogen

c) Organic solvents; unsaturated organic substances; combustibles;

   organic substances; oxidizable substances; irradiation; metallic surfaces; catalysts

- Can hazardously react with metals; nitrogen trichloride

Disposal considerations

Residual ozone should be allowed time to decay back to oxygen.

Air movement and higher temperatures and humidity increase the decay rate.

Large levels of off-gassing of ozone should be removed using an ozone destruction unit, which uses heat and/or a catalyst to accomplish the breakdown of ozone to oxygen before release into the atmosphere.