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OZIUM AIR SANITIZER
Test Data and Summaries
April 4, 2002
Retyped 10/09/03
Evaluation of Ozium Air Sanitizer
By
W. K. Stevens
M.I.Biol., F.I.M.L.S., Dip.Bact., M.R.I.P.H.H.
ELGAR LABORATORY
220, Elgar Road, Reading, Berks.
EVALUATION OF OZIUM AIR SANITIZER
Contents:
Page:
1.
Introduction
1.
2.
Objective of this Paper
2.
3.
Management Summary
3.
4.
Experimental Methods:
4.1
Reduction of Odors
4.2
Removal of Smoke and Tobacco Odors
4.3
Reduction of Airborne Bacteria
4.4
Effect of Ozium on Pathogenic Bacteria
4.
4.
6.
7.
8.
5.
Conclusions
11.
6.
Acknowledgements
12
7.
References
13.
-1-
1.
INTRODUCTION:
Ozium is an air sanitizer manufactured by G.H.Wood & Company, Ltd.
which reduces airborne bacteria, removes smoke and eliminates odors.
During the war, it was used in air raid shelters and other crowded places where
phenolics could not be used because of their toxic and irritating nature.
After the war, scientists in this country, Canada and America were asked to
evaluate the product (Bunker H.J. (1973) Evans Research and Development
Corporation, N.Y. (1965) and others have reported their findings), but little
up-to-date research has been carried out and a request from Mr. D.R.Edwards,
Managing Director of International Division, G.H.Wood & Co.Ltd, Sutton,
Surrey, England, came to me as an independent microbiologist to evaluate the
properties of Ozium.
Our brief was to evaluate the efficacy of Ozium as an antibacterial agent and
determine its effectiveness in reducing malodors and smoke abatement.
Varying sizes of dispenser are available and the popular economy size No. 1500
was then used throughout the whole of this experimental work. The time of each
spray is controlled and emits 100mgm of mixture with each press of the nozzle.
In every experiment Ozium was sprayed according to the instructions on the
Canister i.e. ‘spray towards the ceiling and at least three feet away from walls and
other surfaces’.
The ingredients are listed on the canister and are as follows:
Isopropyl alcohol
Triethylene glycol
Propylene glycol
Essential oils
Inert ingredients
(propellant)
22.7%
4.4%
4.4%
3.5%
65.0%
Triethylene glycol and propylene glycol are the two active ingredients and are known
To have antibacterial properties in combating pathogenic organisms when used in air
Sprays. They are hygroscopic which is an advantage when sprayed in the air as this helps
to agglomerate bacteria and dust, thus reducing bacteria in the air and smoke
Particles. Isopropyl alcohol is used as coupling agent to make the ingredients miscible
with one another so that each spray is homogeneous. The essential oils are an indicator
and since glycols are practically odorless, it would be difficult to know what area had
been sprayed with Ozium without an odor being present.
-2-
2.
OBJECTIVE OF THIS PAPER
The aim of this paper is to prove that Ozium is an effective antibacterial spray
and determine its efficiency in reducing malodors and removing smoke.
-3-
3.
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
Experiments have been carried out in the laboratory and the field to prove that Ozium is an
effective deodorant and air sanitizer.
The laboratory experiments involved both a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the
effects of the product whilst the field trials used reports from domestic and working
environments.
The results of the laboratory experiments show that:
i)
Ozium will remove bathroom malodors in an average domestic room.
ii)
Ozium will remove kitchen odors, although, where cooking continues, a
second spray may be needed after about half an hour.
This was found to be totally effective.
iii)
Ozium is effective in removing pungent laboratory smells.
iv)
Ozium will kill certain types of Gram positive and Gram negative
bacteria.
The results of the field tests shows that:
v)
Ozium will remove toilet malodors in a static environment.
vi)
Ozium will remove all traces of smoke and smoke odor from the
air and from materials.
This paper demonstrates, therefore, that Ozium has three important characteristics:
-
It removes smoke.
It obliterates odors.
It has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.
-44.
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
The experiments carried to evaluate the efficacy of Ozium have been split into four main
sections as follows:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
Reduction in bathroom, kitchen and laboratory malodors.
Removal of smoke and odors caused by cigarette, pipe and cigar ash.
Reduction of airborne bacteria.
Concentration of Ozium required to effect complete kill against pathogenic bacteria.
Field trials have been carried out with malodors in a school changing room, and smoke in
house parties and the bar of a public house.
4.1
Reduction of Odors
Work has already been carried out and reported by Evans Research & Development
Corporation (1965) on the effectiveness of Ozium as a bathroom deodorant. It was
deemed advisable to confirm this claim and to enlarge on the type of odors against
which Ozium is effective.
4.1.1 Bathroom Malodors
Ten laboratory staff who, during the course of their work, encounter many
Malodors, were asked to state the effectiveness of Ozium by entering
a room approximately twelve feet square in which a controlled amount of
Sulfur Dioxide was allowed to escape from a gas jar. One x 100mgm
Spray of Ozium was applied and each person returned to the room ten
Minutes later and recorded the effect of Ozium in the following way:
+++ Bad odor
++
Slightly reduced odor
+
Only very slight odor
Odor completely obliterated.
The results obtained from this experiment are show in Table 1.
Table 1
Degree of Odor
Number of Participants
+++
++
+
-
10
0
0
2
8
The conclusions drawn from these results show that 80% of the participants considered that
Ozium completely obliterated malodors of this kind and all stated that the odor reduction was
considerable.
-54.1.2 Kitchen Odors
Extractor fans are used by a number of people to remove kitchen odors and to stop
them penetrating other areas of the house. However, many people do not have
extractor fans and, sometimes, the smell of green vegetables, onions and fried food
can be very penetrative.
Twelve housewives were asked to spray one x 100mgm spray during cooking
operations and note the effect. They all said that one spray removes the odor
completely for approximately half an hour but, with continued cooking, opening of
saucepans, etc., the odor gradually returned. However, on repeating the experiment,
it was found that by giving a second spray after half an hour, the odors were removed
completely.
Although odors in the kitchen can persist for some time after cooking has finished, it
was found that one spray of Ozium was sufficient to eradicate this completely.
4.1.3 Malodors in the Laboratory
This laboratory has many functions and one of them is to provide a microbiological
investigation service to veterinary surgeons. As a result of this service a number of
Malodors are generated from the following sources:
i)
ii)
iii)
Excreta from animals.
Experiments involving the acid hydrolisation of urine
to extract oestrogens for pregnancy tests.
Faecal contamination from cultures after incubation or
autoclaving.
Experiments were carried out to discover how effective Ozium was against one of the
most pungent of these malodors. This is brought about by the acid hydrolisation of
urine which involves boiling the urine from pigs or horses for twenty minutes in acid.
During this period a continuous malodor is being emitted.
In the first experiment, one x 100mgm spray of Ozium was used at the outset of the
hydrolisation. This reduced the odor considerably but, because of the continuous
process of the experiment, a slight odor returned after fifteen minutes.
In the second experiment, one x 100mgm spray of Ozium was used after five minutes
of hydrolisation, when the malodor had really manifested. However, the result was
similar to that in the first experiment and, although a slight malodor returned towards
the end of the hydrolisaiton, it was evident that two sprays were necessary to dissipate
the odor completely.
The third experiment used two sprays, one after five minutes and the second after
fifteen minutes. Although the odor was beginning to return after fifteen minutes, a
second spray was sufficient to dissipate it completely. This experiment was repeated
and confirmed the results that two sprays were required to be completely effective.
-64.1.4 Malodors in Field Experiments
Experiments carried out in the laboratory are the basis of all scientific work but the
real tests are in the field trials. Four different tests have been carried out in the field,
The first of which is described as follows:
4.1.4.1 Malodor in a School
The Nursery Department of a special school for physically
handicapped children aged three to eight years was the most exacting
situation in which Ozium could prove its ability to dissipate malodors.
The room in which the trials took place measured approximately
twelve by eight feet and contained two small toilets with no fan or
outlet to the fresh air. In any two hour period, eight to nine incontinent
children were being changed and four or five children were using the
toilets. The malodors generated in this comparatively small room
were extremely obnoxious but within five minutes of two sprays of
Ozium, all malodors were completely removed. This trial was
repeated many times with consistent results.
The teacher in charge of the department was so impressed that she is
submitting a strong recommendation to the school authorities that
Ozium sprays should be made permanently available for this purpose.
4.2
Removal of Smoke and Tobacco Odors
There are always a number of parties being held at people’s homes and the action of
Ozium has been observed on two such occasions where the owners are badly affected
by smoke. A study was also made of smoke in a Public House.
4.2.1 Case 1
The owner is affected by smoke which irritates the nasal sinuses causing hay
fever and headaches. In a room approximately fifteen feet by twelve feet, two
sprays of Ozium were used when smoking began. This removed all traces of
smoke. However, after two hours of continued smoking, evidence of smoke
returned and a further two sprays of Ozium obliterated all traces for the rest of
the evening.
4.2.2 Case 2
The owner suffers from asthma and smoke makes her feel extremely ill,
particularly in a confined area. A room approximately twenty feet by eighteen
feet contained eighteen people, six of whom were smokers. After one hour the
room began to fill with smoke and two sprays of Ozium (one at either end of
the room) dispelled all traces of smoke within five minutes. Although
smoking continued throughout the evening only traces of smoke returned after
-7two hours when a further two sprays of Ozium dissipated smoke for the rest of
the evening. Furthermore, the owner did not suffer an asthma attack.
An added benefit was also discovered as a result of spraying Ozium during a
party when many people were smoking. It is a known fact that smoke clings
to curtains, especially those made of heavy material and the smell of smoke
can cling for days afterwards.
As a result of spraying Ozium during the evening, not only was the smoke
dissipated but it was prevented from penetrating the curtains. The following
morning there was no smell of stale smoke and the curtains remained free of
odor.
4.2.3 Smoke in a Public House
A small private bar approximately twenty five feet square was selected for this
trial. The bar contained about twenty people most of whom were smoking as
well as drinking. The air was full of smoke when two sprays of Ozium were
used. This was sufficient to abate all traces of smoke and the air was
completely cleared within five minutes of spraying.
4.3
Reduction of Airborne Bacteria
Four experiments have been carried out to determine qualitatively the
reduction of airborne bacteria as follows:
i)
Blood agar plates were exposed in the laboratory while the floor was
being swept. A door was then closed to seal off the control plates and
one spray of Ozium was released at 0 minutes in the room with
harvested at 60, 90 and 120 minutes and placed in an incubator at
37°C for 48 hours after which the number of colonies were counted.
ii)
As with I) but with an additional Ozium spray at 60 minutes
iii)
As with ii) but with an additional Ozium spray at 90 minutes.
iv)
A separate experiment was carried out in an office approximately
fourteen feet square which had wall to wall carpeting. The floor was
swept with a hard broom to create dust and Ozium was sprayed twice
after sweeping. A control plate was placed in an open cupboard in the
room. This was closed prior to the Ozium test. The plates were
exposed for 60 minutes.
The results of these experiments are shown in Table 2.
-8Table 2
Experiment
1.
1 spray @ 0 mins.
2.
1 spray @ 0 & 60
minutes
3.
1 spray @ 0,60,90
minutes
4.
2 sprays @ 0 mins.
Plate Exposed
(Mins)
Number of Colonies
% Reduction
of Bacteria
60
90
120
60
90
120
Ozium
25
35
40
31
28
14
Control
75
85
82
90
75
78
66
59
52
66
63
82
60
90
120
60
40
33
28
8
45
63
72
75
11
48
62
90
The above results demonstrate that Ozium will consistently reduce airborne bacteria.
The organisms from the colonies isolated on the plates were identified as being nonpathogenic (saprophytic) and typical of those normally isolated from any room. They
consisted mainly of Staphylococcus Albus, micrococci, yeasts, molds, Bacillus
subtilis, etc.
4.3
Effect of Ozium on Pathogenic Bacteria
A suspension of the organisms used in 4.3 was kept for the following experiment
which deals with the exact quantity of Ozium needed to kill bacteria. The method is
used widely today in determining the activity of any given substance to any given
organism. It is known as the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration which can be carried
out by a large plate method or a tube dilution method which was the one chosen for
this work.
The MIC is the minimum dose of any given substance to inhibit the growth of an
organism when incubated in a suitable medium under conditions in which the
organism normally grows.-9The method is to carry out serial dilutions of the substance in small test tubes which
are subsequently inoculated with a specific organism, a Gram positive bacteria such
as Staphylococcus Aureus or Gram negative organisms such as Escherichia Coli or
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. The tubes are incubated at 37°C for twenty four hours and
then examined, noting the lowest concentration where there is complete inhibition of
the growth of the organism which indicates the activity of the substance.
-9In order to check that the substance is bactericidal and not bacteriostatic, a loopful
from each tube is plated onto an agar plate and incubated at 37°C overnight. The
exact dilution at which a complete kill has occurred, will be seen where there is no
growth of bacteria on the plate.
Experiments were carried out using the methods described against know pathogenic
bacteria as follows:
i)
ii)
iii)
Staphylococcus Aureus
Escherichia Coli
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
These three organisms were chosen specifically because they represent a broad
spectrum of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and because they are
pathogenic to man.
Staphylococcus Aureus was chosen for the toxins it produces in addition to being one
of the organisms which causes food poisoning. Escherichia Coli which is in the same
Group of organisms as Salmonella can cause food poisoning and general intestinal
upsets. Pseudomas Aeruginosa is an organism very often associated with wound
infections and contaminated dressings which also gives off malodors and is one of the
most persistent bacteria being most difficult to kill.
The active ingredients of Ozium are Triethylene glycol and Propylene glycol, each at
4.4%, i.e there are 8.8mgm of active ingredients in 100mgm of Ozium. Starting with
1000mgm of Ozium which was diluted 1 in 10, serial doubling dilutions were then
made in nutrient broth to which one drop of very fine suspension of each organism
was added. The tubes were incubated for twenty four hours at 37°C and then
examined for inhibition of growth of the organism. The results from these
experiments and the MIC of Ozium against each organism are recorded in Table No.
3.
Table 3
Dilution:
Mgm Ozium
Mgm active
Ingredients
Test Organisms:
Saprophytic
Bacteria
Staph. Aureus
E. Coli
Ps. Aeruginosa
1/10
10
1/20
5
1/40
2.5
1/80
1.25
1/160
0.625
1/320
0.34
1/640
0.16
CONT
X
0.88
0.44
0.22
0.11
0.055
0.028
0.014
X
-
+
++
+
++
+
++
+
++
++
+
++
++
++
++
++
++
++
Key:
- No Growth
+ Some Growth
++ Heavy Growth
-10From these results it can be seen that the active ingredients contained in Ozium have a fairly
broad spectrum of antibacterial activity because:
-
320 times the active ingredients required to kill Saprophytic organisms are
present.
-
160 times the active ingredients required to kill Staphylococcus Aureus are
present.
-
40 times the active ingredients required to kill Escherichia Coli are present
-
10 times the active ingredients required to kill Pseudomonas Aeruginosa re
present.
The fact that there has been any reaction at all against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is
commendable since there are currently only about three antibiotics to which it is sensitive.
However, Ozium is extremely active against Saprophytic organisms and pathogenic
Staphylococcus Aureus but slightly less so against Escherichia Coli.
-11-
5.
CONCLUSIONS:
The work of Bunker (1973) and Evans Research and Development Corporation
N.Y. (1965) and other workers has been confirmed and a wider variety of
experiments have proved that Ozium is a most effective air freshener and
sanitizer.
Experiments described in this paper carried out in the laboratory, the home, a
school and a public house have demonstrated that Ozium can remove smoke and
eliminate many different types of malodors completely and effectively.
Experiments have also been carried out against known pathogenic bacteria
showing that Ozium has a fairly broad spectrum of activity and can reduce
airborne bacteria and cross contamination caused by a number of different
organisms.
-12-
6.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
I should like to thank the technical staff who kindly helped to carry out the
experiments in the laboratory and the housewives who kindly carried out trials in
their kitchens.
I should also like to give special thanks to Mrs. A. Long, Teacher in charge of the
Nursery Department at the School for Physically Handicapped Children and to
my assistant Mrs. S.V.Walker, A.I.M.L.S. for carrying out most of the technical
work..
-13-
7.
REFERENCES:
1. Bunker H. J. (1973). Independent Report on Investigation into Ozium Air
Sanitizers.
2. Evans Research and Development Corporation (1965)
Report on Evaluation of Ozium Deodorant.
3. Harmsen H. (1962).
Bacteriological Testing of Air Disinfection by Ozium
OZIUM TEST DATA
Test results demonstrate and prove that Ozium is effective in removing
bathroom, kitchen, laboratory, and smoke odors. Ozium is also effective in
temporarily reducing the number of airborne bacteria, including certain types of
Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.
The two active ingredients, propylene glycol and triethylene glycol, are known
to have antibacterial properties in combating pathogenic organisms when used
in air sprays. The two active ingredients are hygroscopic which is an advantage
when sprayed in the air as this helps to agglomerate bacteria and dust, thus
reducing bacteria and smoke particles in the air.
A Summary of the Test Results are as follows:
Laboratory Studies:
A)
Malodor Reduction
* 80% of nose panel rated 100% reduction of bathroom odors.
* 100% kitchen odors were removed with 100 mg spray during
cooking with second spray sometimes needed 30 minutes later.
* Laboratory malodors of acid hydrolisation of urine is significantly
removed with 1 to 2 sprays depending on onset of initial spray.
* Closed container odor reduction of tobacco smoke was 82% and
bathroom odor was 73%.
* Closed room odor reduction of tobacco smoke was 76% and
bathroom odor was 59%.
B)
Bacterial Colony Count
* Closed room study with air pumped through sterile chamber with
agar plates for 60 minutes, Ozium treated air provided 66%
reduction of airborne bacteria.
* Closed room study with air pumped through sterile chamber for 90
minutes, Ozium treated air provided 69% reduction of airborne
bacteria.
* Ozium will kill certain types of Gram positive and Gram negative
bacteria.
Field Studies:
* Significant malodor reduction was experienced in small nonventilated nursery bathroom for physically handicapped children.
* All traces of tobacco smoke was removed from air and curtains in
public buildings.
* Up to 90% of common airborne bacteria can be removed from
room.
ENGLAND OZIUM TEST DATA
Laboratory Studies:
* 80% of nose panel rated 100% reduction of bathroom odors.
* 100% kitchen odors were removed with 100 mg spray during
cooking with second spray sometimes needed 30 minutes later.
* Laboratory malodors of acid hydrolisation of urine is significantly
removed with 1 to 2 sprays depending on onset of initial spray.
* Ozium will kill certain types of Gram positive and Gram negative
bacteria.
Field Studies:
* Significant malodor reduction was experienced in small nonventilated nursery bathroom for physically handicapped children.
* All traces of tobacco smoke was removed from air and curtains in
public buildings.
• Up to 90% of common airborne
bacteria can be removed from room.
U.S. OZIUM TEST DATA
Bacterial Colony Count:
*
Closed room study with air pumped through sterile chamber with
agar plates for 60 minutes, Ozium treated air provided 66%
reduction of airborne bacteria.
*
Closed room study with air pumped through sterile chamber for 90
minutes, Ozium treated air provided 69% reduction of airborne
bacteria.
Malodor Reduction:
*
Closed container odor reduction of tobacco smoke was 82% and
bathroom odor was 73%.
*
Closed room odor reduction of tobacco smoke was 75% and
bathroom odor was 59%.