Ozone Measurement

Ozone (O3), a colorless, highly reactive gas, is naturally formed by electrical discharges (lightning) and in the upper atmosphere at altitudes of 15 and 35 km. It is this stratospheric ozone that protects the Earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation emitted by the Sun.

High levels of ozone can be produced by ground-level sunlight and reactions involving air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). High ozone concentrations can cause human health and environmental problems. Exposure to high ozone levels can affect the heart and respiratory systems, irritating the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Apart from health problems, it affects plant growth, can damage materials such as rubber, fabric, walls and paint, and reduce visibility.

Relevant regulations and standards have been developed to keep ambient concentrations below the levels where the effects are seen. According to ASTM-D 4490-96 standard, ozone emission in UV-C Devices/Systems should be below 0.05 ppm.

ASTM-D 4490-96: Standard Practice for Measuring the Concentration of Toxic Gases or Vapors Using Detector Tubes