Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Kate Docherty-Surtees on 07/02/2011 02:30:03

Title: Can ozone diffuse through the skin?
Post by: Kate Docherty-Surtees on 07/02/2011 02:30:03

Kate Docherty-Surtees  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
There is quite a lot of ozone therapy being offerred at health spas, where you sit in a heated cabin and the heat in turn causes your pores to open thereby allowing the ozone to diffuse through your skin. As far as I understand your skin is a barrier and therefore would not allow any gas through......please tell me if I am wrong.
 
Thanks
Kate

What do you think?

Title: Can ozone diffuse through the skin?
Post by: Bored chemist on 07/02/2011 06:53:11

The skin is a barrier, but an imperfect one. Many gases and vapours will pass through it.

However in the case of ozone it is likely that most of the ozone would be destroyed by reaction with materials in the skin on the way through.
It wouldn't cause much damage but it does lead me to ask why  anyone thinks it's a good idea to get this toxic chemical into the body.