[moses lawn (OP)]

I have seen for sale an ozone generating machine, seemingly producing bubbles of ozone in a water bath, and designed to be used for sterilisation of items such as toothbrushes, babys' dummies and feeding bottle teats, fruit etc.

It seems that ozone is a very powerful antiseptic, but is it harmful if breathed in?

[DrN]

ozone is basically O3, as opposed to normal oxygen which is O2. It is a vital component of the earths upper atmosphere, to mopp up ultraviolet radiation, but it is an irritant and potentially toxic to humans, harmful to the lungs and causes respiratory problems. it can be produced by pollutants when they react with oxygen in the air. not sure what happens to it when its dissolved in water though.

I have heard of ozone therapy, the ones I've seen don't use inhalation which is a start (don't ask any more details, its a family site!) but it sounds down right dodgy to me. I think the reason its an antiseptic is because its so toxic!!

[gsmollin]

There is a lot of interest in this right now. Here's a link to a company's new product aimed at hospitals. The catch here is that there have been lots of failures in this field, and I would not trust any inexpensive home unit at this time. Use tried and true for sterilization until proven otherwise!

http://www.hospitalnews.com/modules/magazines/mag.asp?ID=3&IID=38&AID=416

[DrN]

I know I'm sceptical, but to suddenly market a toxin as a health benefit sounds a little odd to me! personally I would leave well alone!

[gsmollin]

It's being marketed as a sterilizer. Of course it is toxic! That's the whole point. If you think a steam autoclave is not toxic, then try some time in one. The real issue is it toxic enough to kill spores of bacteria and protozoans? I don't know for sure, so I think consumers should stick to simpler, proven devices for now.

[tweener]

Speaking of sterilizing toothbrushes, I have a funny story.

My sister-in-law went to the bathroom in the middle of the night once and found a cockroach sucking on her husbands toothbrush.  Being the dedicated and loving wife (and nurse) that she was, she took the toothbrush to the kitchen and boiled it to make sure it was sterile.  The next morning when hubby brushed his teeth, all the bristles fell out in his foamy mouth.  boy was he surprised and confused!

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Monox D. I-Fly]

it can be produced by pollutants when they react with oxygen in the air.

Wait, so we can cure the ozone layer by polluting more?

[Bored chemist]

it can be produced by pollutants when they react with oxygen in the air.

Wait, so we can cure the ozone layer by polluting more?

No.
You would need to get ozone in the right place.
Near ground level ozone is just another pollutant.