Meta: Is it possible that an ozone generator ruined my car? Or are these devices completely harmless? In this article, we explain why ozone generators should always be used with caution.
An ozone generator produces oxygen with three atoms in each molecule rather than the two atoms that are found in typical oxygen molecules. Ozone treatment has many uses, including eliminating smoke smells, mold spores, and odors and purifying the air.
If not used correctly, unfortunately, an ozone machine can be detrimental to cars.
Upholstery, carpeting, metal parts, and plastic components can all suffer from damage if not cared for properly. If you have decided to use an ozone generator, it’s important to make sure that you use it properly.
In this article, we will talk about what points to keep in mind in more detail.
What Damage Can Ozone Generators Do To Cars?
Damage to Upholstery and Carpeting
Ozone shock treatment can produce high levels of ozone, which is a powerful oxidant that can break down fabrics, rubber components, and other materials.
Using an ozone generator in your car can cause its upholstery and carpeting to become discolored, brittle, and faded. It can even lead to holes in the fabric.
Corrosion of Metal Parts
A car’s ozone generator can cause metal components to corrode, which is a common issue.
Ozone generators produce high levels of ozone, which is a highly reactive gas that can cause oxidation and corrosion of metal surfaces.
Interior components like wiring, hoses and other metal parts are at high risk from ozone-based corrosion.
Deterioration of Plastic Components
Ozone can also cause the deterioration of plastic components over time. Various hoses, seals, and other plastic elements are all at risk.
Ozone damage to plastics is not always apparent right away; it builds up over time.
What Causes Ozone Generator Damage?
Improper Use of Ozone Generator
Ozone generators are an efficient way of reducing odors, bacteria, and other impurities in the air.
However, if not used properly, they can cause serious damage to your car.
Ozone is a highly reactive gas that can break down rubber, plastic, and other materials found in cars.
If you let your ozone generator run for a long time, or use it in the wrong way, a lot of things can go wrong.
Lack of Ventilation in Vehicle During Treatment
It’s crucial to make sure that adequate ventilation is provided when using an ozone generator on a vehicle.
If the car is not properly ventilated during treatment, the ozone can become trapped in the interior of the car and cause damage to upholstery, electronics, and other components.
In some cases, this damage can be irreversible.
Inadequate Maintenance and Cleaning After Treatment
Maintaining and cleaning your car after using an ozone generator is essential for effective treatment.
Unfortunately, many people fail to take the necessary steps and end up with a ruined car.
An ozone generator works by releasing ozone into the interior of your car. Leaving the ozone on car parts for an extended period of time will lead to damage.
Hence, you should air out the car properly immediately after the treatment is completed.
Unsuitable Placement of Ozone Generator in Vehicle
The ozone generator itself should not be placed inside the car during treatment. Place it outside and open only one window to let in the hose.
After this, seal off the remainder of the window and let the ozone generator work for about half an hour.
Excessive Concentration Levels of Ozone Used
For cars, the ideal concentration of ozone should be between 0 and 0.1 ppm (parts per million). Ozone particles can irritate our eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It also gives off a strong smell.
At levels of 0.1ppm or higher, exposure to ozone can lead to symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing. Why take the risk?
Ozone levels that are too high can cause damage to the electronic components of cars, resulting in costly repairs or replacements.
Poor Quality or Faulty Ozone Generator
If the ozone generator used is faulty, it might cause an excess concentration of ozone to seep into your car, which can also cause damage to the car interiors.
Prevention Strategies for Use
Properly Research and Select an Appropriate Model for Your Needs
When choosing an ozone generator for your car, there are several factors to take into account. To begin, choose an ozone generator that is well-suited for your vehicle’s size and the quality of air you are going to circulate.
You should also consider whether the machine is durable enough to withstand rugged conditions while providing effective coverage inside the car.
Moreover, the design should include safety precautions like an automatic shut-off in case of high toxicity levels.
Finally, consider convenience features such as portability and remote operation which may make it easier to use the system.
Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions Carefully When Using the Device
We know it is boring to run through the manual of a machine to get it working, but when it comes to your car’s interiors, we feel you wouldn’t mind going through the details.
Read the manual carefully and follow instructions to the hilt. If nothing else, at least you can raise a complaint with the manufacturer if something goes wrong after that.
Ensure Adequate Ventilation During Treatment Periods
Ozone is a powerful oxidant, so care should be taken when using ozone generators in any confined space, such as a car.
After use, you should ventilate the car for 15 to 30 minutes to allow any remaining ozone levels to drop below 0.02 part per million (ppm).
This will ensure that occupants of the car are not exposed to dangerous levels of oxygenation, which can have irritating and even dangerous health effects.
Maintain and Clean Vehicle Interior Regularly After Treatments
While ozone can clean and clear your vehicle quite well, it’s best to avoid excessive usage. Try to keep and maintain your car as frequently as possible so that you can limit the use of the ozone generator.
Monitor Concentration Levels and Adjust as Necessary
The concentration level of the ozone generator while cleaning a car should not exceed 0.1 ppm, which is the level recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Too high levels of ozone can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract, can induce headaches, and may even cause long-term health problems after chronic exposure.
It is also important to ensure that the ozone generator is well-ventilated in order to prevent a build-up of dangerous levels of gas inside the car.
Therefore, it is advised to use an ozone generator with a built-in timer that will turn off automatically so to reduce potential risks from high concentration levels of ozone.
Store Device Properly When Not in Use
When not in use, it is important to store your ozone generator properly. It should be kept in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.
Additionally, any hose or nozzle connected to the generator must be completely sealed off to prevent air exposure and contamination.
Furthermore, always remember to turn the generator off when storing it. For long-term storage, make sure that all components are treated with dielectric grease before storage to maintain their health and protect them from moisture damage.
Ensuring proper storage will extend the life of your ozone generator and ensure its reliable performance for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you run an ozone generator in a car?
It is recommended to run an ozone generator in a car for at least 30 minutes, up to two hours.
During that time, the ozone gas will work to break down odors and bacteria molecules and eradicate them from the air circulating in your car.
It is important to keep the windows closed during this process so the ozone is contained, along with everyone inside the car.
After running the ozone generator for your designated amount of time, turn it off and open the windows and doors to let fresh air pass through your car.
Will an ozone generator damage plastics?
An ozone generator may damage some types of plastics if it is used in an enclosed area. It produces a high concentration of ozone, which can cause air pollution and damage to certain materials.
It is possible that the ozone can break down certain chemicals in the plastic over time, weakening it and causing it to become brittle or discolored.
For safety reasons, it is important to keep the ozone generator away from any sensitive plastic surfaces or products, as well as from people or other living things.
Can ozone damage leather?
Ozone is a powerful oxidant that can cause damage to many materials, including leather.
Ozone molecules contain three oxygen atoms, which can react with the organic compounds in leather and cause it to break down.
This breakdown can result in discoloration, cracking, and other signs of deterioration. In extreme cases, ozone exposure can even cause the leather to become brittle and eventually disintegrate.
How long does it take for the ozone smell to go away?
The time it takes to clear the ozone smell will depend on the size of the area treated with ozone and how long it was exposed to this gas.
In most cases, it may take a few hours to several days for the ozone smell to go away completely. In some cases, however, the smell may linger for months on end too.
Wrap Up
Ozone generators are a great way to eliminate odors and bacteria from the air in your car, but you should use them with caution.
For safety, it’s essential to close the car windows while running an ozone generator, and turn it off when storing it.
Also, always use a good quality ozone generator and the right concentration of ozone while using. Keep it on for half an hour, but not longer.
Let the car air out properly, and make sure not to use too high a concentration in the ozone generator.
Ozone can damage plastics and leather over time, so make sure not to use the device more than you need it.
It may take a long time for the ozone smell to go away, depending on many things.
Some of these include the size of the space that was treated and how long the generator was used.
