Insurance Restoration Pro: Hydroxyl Technology Vs Ozone Technology

The main benefit of using a true hydroxyl generator is that they are safe to use in occupied areas for deodorization purposes. Insurance companies do not have to cover a homeowner’s hotels or meals. Business owners do not have to shut down and loose precious business.
If people and animals can be removed from the treatment area, ozone will always do the jobs faster. And the general rule of thumb is if a strong ozone generator would take one day to do a job, a true hydroxyl generator will take three to five days to do the same job. But insurance companies don’t seem to have a problem paying for the extra time it takes a hydroxyl generator to do the job because they are saving on hotel and food costs and their customers are much happier staying in their own homes and businesses. In saying this, hydroxyl generators are commonly one of the first pieces of equipment installed on the job and can be run the entire length of the job. These machines are already in Xactimate and bring in some $200 per day on a rental. With the price of the hydroxyl generators on the market, there would be a 100% return on investment within the first week of use.
These generators have been successfully tested on fires and other restoration and bio jobs, including protein fires, floods, dead body situations, skunk odors, pet urine odors, musty odors and many types of VOC odors. Many restoration contractors have converted existing deodorizing chambers or added their own hydroxyl rooms with great success. You can run a hydroxyl room 24 hours a day and enter the room at any time with no threat to your health. True hydroxyl generators also will not bleach wet fabrics so they can be run on damp carpet without fear of lightening the color.
However, it’s important to note that hydroxyl generators are not intended for use on mold remediation jobs where there is a large infestation on surfaces or behind walls. The established protocols should always be followed in these instances. But generators with good filtration are excellent for airborne microbial remediation where bacteria or fungi have become aerosolized.
Here’s a look at more information and considerations for this type of deodorization.
What Is A Hydroxyl Radical?
The hydroxyl radical, •OH, is the neutral form of the hydroxide ion (OH–). Hydroxyl radicals are diatomic molecules that are highly reactive and very short-lived with an average half-life of less than two seconds. The hydroxyl radical which was first discovered by scientists in 1963 is often referred to as the “detergent” of the troposphere, or the lowest part of the atmosphere, because it reacts with many pollutants and helps destroy them. It also has an important role in eliminating some greenhouse gases like methane and ozone.
Atmospheric hydroxyl radicals should not be confused with free radicals that are produced inside living organisms. Atmospheric hydroxyl radicals are so reactive that they are instantly neutralized when they make contact with any substance and would be impossible to ingest as a complete ion. This is the fact that makes hydroxyl radicals, which are in the outside air at all times during the day, one of the safest processes for deodorizing in an occupied area.
Hydroxyls are formed in nature by the reaction of UV light from the sun disassembling water vapor (H20) to get a hydrogen atom and oxygen (O2) which are combined together to form the hydroxyl radical (*OH).
Technology Behind Radicals
All hydroxyl generators currently used in the restoration industry incorporate some form of UV light in their process. UV light has three major spectrums: A, B and C. UVA is in the 315nm to 400nm wavelength and is what is commonly referred to as a “black light,” which makes white things glow and is considered safe for vision and skin contact. UVA lamps do not produce ozone. UVB is in the 280nm to 315nm wavelength. These are the lights in tanning salons. UVC is the 100nm to 280nm wavelength. These lamps are “germicidal” and can damage your eyes and skin. UVC lamps in the 185nm spectrum produce large amounts of ozone.
Some manufacturers use UVC lamps in the 185nm to 254nm wavelength with no catalyst whatsoever and claim to make hydroxyls. These units are nothing more that ultraviolet ozone generators and should be avoided. Other manufacturers use the same UVC 185nm to 254nm wavelength UV lamps but also incorporate reactive metals like titanium as a catalyst to create hydroxyls. These machines would probably make more hydroxyls then the first process described above but they also produce ozone and should be considered for use in unoccupied areas only.
The third technology which was developed with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) utilizes UVC light in the 254nm wavelength to excite nano-sized particles of Titanium Dioxide to generate hydroxyl radicals. This process has been deemed safe by NASA (it has been used in the space station) and also certified by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as a Type 2 Medical Device that is approved for use in hospitals, including neonatal and baby wards.
The safest and most preferred technology to produce hydroxyl radicals is a version of the NASA developed process that utilizes UVA (black light) in the 365nm to 385nm wavelength to excite (irradiate) nano sized Titanium Dioxide sol gel particles. Many scientists agree that UVA light is the best spectrum to produce the largest amount of hydroxyls possible with super reactive TiO2. The UV light used in this process is the same light that made Jimmy Hendrix posters glow in my teenage days. TiO2 is the white powder on powdered donuts or the white in your tooth paste. Both the black light and the TiO2 utilized in this technology are safe and benign.
Considerations
High volume of air movement: Since hydroxyls live less than two seconds, it is necessary and beneficial to have as much air movement as possible to move the hydroxyls out of the machine and as far away as possible in the two second time allotment. 5,000+ CFM will do a much better job than 500 to 600 CFM.
Moisture/humidity: The higher the humidity is in the treatment area the more hydroxyls will be produced and the better/quicker the hydroxyl generator will do the job. Hydroxyls are not temperature sensitive and like higher humidity which is the opposite of ozone which prefers cooler less humid conditions. 60%+ humidity is preferred for optimal hydroxyl generator performance.
Filtration: Another feature to look for in a hydroxyl generator is good filtration to help remove the oxidized particles and microbes from the air in the treatment area.
Hydroxyl Generator Purchase Considerations
Safety: Ask your hydroxyl generator manufacturer for the UV wavelength of their lamps. If they will not volunteer this information or they have lamps that are in the 185nm wavelength, consider looking elsewhere. If the hydroxyl generator you are looking at smells like ozone, it is likely making ozone. A true hydroxyl generator emits no odor at all.
Features: Get all the features you can on your hydroxyl generator. Look for the highest air volume you can get. Look for the best filtration available and look for a certified safe hydroxyl generation process that does not utilize ozone in its process. Make sure that the hydroxyl generator is sold through a network of restoration equipment retailers that can service your repair and warranty needs.
Price: Hydroxyl generator prices run the full gamut from a low of $500 to a high of $4,500. Check out the features, the hydroxyl producing process, the dealers that sell the product then make your own educated decision. Paying a lot of money does not guarantee that you will get the safest, most durable, best producing generator available. Do your due-diligence before buying.

OZONE
QUESTION: WHAT IS OZONE?
ANSWER: Ozone, sometimes called "activated oxygen", o3, contains three atoms of oxygen rather than the two atoms we normally breath. Ozone is the second most powerful sterilant in the world and its function is to destroy bacteria, viruses and odors in nature. Interestingly ozone occurs quite readily in nature, most often as a result of lightning strikes that occur during thunderstorms. In fact that "fresh, clean, spring rain" smell that we notice after a storm most often results from natures creation of ozone. Ozone is also created by water falls. However, we are probably most familiar with ozone from reading about the "ozone layer" that circles the planet above the earth atmosphere. Here ozone is created by the sun's ultra-violet rays. This serves to protect us from the ultra-violet radiation. Additionally, each of us is exposed to high levels of ozone sometimes daily for short periods of time. This happens in heavy traffic conditions or during times when the weather forces ozone to remain lower to the ground than is otherwise normal. The combination of these two factors can result in ozone readings as high as 4 or 5 times the "regulatory" levels for continuous exposure with absolutely no adverse affects as our exposure is for such short periods, and the ozone itself decays back to normal oxygen so rapidly.
Bactericidal action:
The highly effective bactericidal action of ozone has been well established in literature. This property of ozone makes it extremely useful for various applications.
Deodorizing action:
Ozone's deodorizing action is not simply a masking effect of unpleasant odors. It is a true chemical destruction of the compounds that create the odors in the first place. The existing air in an enclosed populated environment is rarefied with the decrease of the oxygen content. It has been proven that with ozone concentrations of around 0.01 ppm, the number of air renewals in any closed space is reduced.
QUESTION:
Which is better; UV (ultraviolet) Ozone Generation or Corona Discharge?
Why are UV ozone generators a better choice than corona discharge ozone generators?
(For all air or surface sterilization shock treatment applications such as MOLD, Smoke, Fire odors, musty smells, flood odor,protein decomposition odor, germ and virus remediation, etc.)
The Biggest difference between corona discharge and UV ozone generation methods is that UV ozone generators have stable ozone output levels throughout humidity ranges, while the output of corona discharge ozone generators is significantly reduced by just moderate humidity levels such as 40–70% (ozone output is reduced by approx. 40-70% with 40-70% humidity). In addition, with UV ozone generators, the cleaning requirement is almost eliminated compared to corona discharge ozone generators. Also, the ozone produced from a UV ozone generator is cleaner (no nitric acids) and smells better than ozone produced from corona discharge machines, and is just as powerful and often more powerful as ozone produced by corona discharge ozone generators.
UV models include UV PRO 550, UV PRO 550AT, UV PRO 1100AT, UV PRO 2800, UV PRO 4000, and UV PRO 6800
QUESTION: HOW DOES OZONE WORK?
ANSWER: While ozone is very powerful, it has a very short life cycle. When it is faced with odors, bacteria or viruses the extra atom of oxygen destroys them completely by oxidation. In so doing, that extra atom of oxygen is destroyed and there is nothing left...no odor...no bacteria...no extra atom, only oxygen. In addition to the effectiveness of ozone, we also know that it is safe to use. We know this from our own safe exposures daily to ozone, Whether, as noted earlier, resulting from being locked in traffic, or passing through industrial areas. These exposures have no effect on us. beyond our acknowledging the smell associated with ozone. It is the strength of this smell that provides ozone with it's "built in" safety mechanism. Ozone is safe because we notice it's smell at very residual levels. By residual we mean, the amount of ozone that is produced in excess of the required amount to eliminate whatever contamination that may be present in the room. This equipment, when used correctly will not exceed government guidelines for continuous safe exposure. Even if used incorrectly, ozone provides its own protection, as ozone warns us in a manner similar to smoke in a room. Ozone does this by becoming so offensive (a strong bleach-like smell) at 1.5 parts per million that we would not be able to stay in the environment for any more than a short period. This is much like what would happen if we entered a smoke filled room. However, while smoke might harm us, research has proven that a limited exposure to a low level of ozone would have no serious long term affect on us just as it does not affect us when caught in a traffic jam during rush hour.
QUESTION: HOW IS OZONE PRODUCED?
ANSWER: There are basically two methods of producing ozone...ultra-violet and corona discharge. Most equipment uses the corona discharge method, simulating in essence, lightning. Equipment utilizing UV was hard to find in the past because it was inefficient, expensive to operate, unreliable, and very costly to service compared to the corona discharge equipment available. In recent years the UV technology has improved significantly making it a viable alternative to the corona discharge systems and the preferred choice for remediation professionals.
QUESTION: HOW LONG DOES THE OZONE LAST?
ANSWER: As soon as ozone is formed in the generator and dispersed in a room some of it decays back into oxygen. This step occurs by several processes including the following: Natural decay (or revision to oxygen) due to ozone chemical instability. Speeding up of the above process by the presence of such as walls, carpets etc. stimulating the decay process. Oxidation reaction with odor causing organic material, which removes ozone. Reactions with bacteria etc., which again consumes ozone by oxidation reactions. Additionally ozone itself has a half life which means that "residual" ozone created (extra unneeded ozone) will return to oxygen within at most 30 minutes, in amounts equal to half its level. What this means is that after each subsequent 30 minute period there would be half as much residual ozone left at the end of the period as was present at the beginning of the period. This is similar to a geometric progression of 16;8;4;2;1. In practice the half life is usually less than 30 minutes due to temperature, bacterial, and other contaminants in the air. Therefore, ozone while very powerful doesn't last long...just does it’s job and disappears.