Using Ozone to Reduce Virus Transmission in Care Settings

Amid warnings of a possible ‘tripledemic’ of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this winter as well as the rise of the new ‘XEC’ Covid variant, it’s time to think carefully about infection control measures and how best to reduce the transmission of viruses.
Covid remains a threat: a recent UKHSA report noted there were more than 19,500 deaths associated with COVID-19 in the winters of 2022-23 and 2023-24. UK health officials have also warned that if people who are eligible for their flu vaccinations do not come forward to receive them, this coming winter could see a particularly bad flu season.
A key factor in halting the spread of viruses is air quality. But while you may be able to throw open the windows in summer, allowing fresh air to circulate and viruses to disperse, that is less feasible in autumn and winter when the wind is whipping off the sea on the south coast.
One solution to help tackle viral spread and eliminate odours in settings like care homes is the use of ozone. Used correctly, ozone has the potential to be a critical component of infection control strategies in medical and healthcare environments.
How does ozone work to reduce viral spread?
Ozone has been used for a variety of cleaning and disinfectant purposes for decades, but there are still a number of misunderstandings regarding its use in infection control procedures.
In care environments, particularly those for elderly and other vulnerable individuals, ozone may not be a magic bullet for total virus elimination – but it is certainly an effective and valuable component in the fight against infection, and the evidence supports it. Studies have shown that when used correctly, ozone demonstrably reduces the viral load. And when virus levels are lowered on surfaces and in the air, the risk of transmission diminishes significantly.
So, how does ozone work in practice?
In simple terms, an ozone generator will take some of the air in a room and pass it over a specially designed cell to change the structure of the oxygen from O2 to O3 – ozone. This means there are now 3 oxygen atoms rather than 2 and the third atom is unstable, and it is this instability that is the key to ozone’s virus control abilities.
The newly created ozone is released into the air and begins to attach itself to organic materials such as viruses or fungal spores. Ozone is heavier than oxygen, so it gradually settles on surfaces as well as attracting airborne pathogens during the process. However, ozone’s instability means it will break down into O2 again.
As the ozone succumbs to its instability, it doesn’t release the trapped pathogens, it collapses them. When ozone meets a virus, it disrupts its lipid and protein structure, effectively deactivating it. As the ozone returns to oxygen, viruses and odours are destroyed.
How is ozone used in care environments?
Ozone is in use in care homes around the UK. One of the reasons for this is that in addition to virus protection, the Ozofresh brand is one of the leading names in odour removal and control. Because the same process that destroys a virus will also destroy odour particles, Ozone generators are well known as an effective tool in the fight against odours caused by incontinence, for example. In fact, this is how many care homes initially hear about Ozofresh. Disinfecting and purifying air normally takes some time, but the larger machines from Ozofresh also contain an ozone destruct function which helps speed up the process – often a resident’s room can be refreshed and back in service within an hour.
Care home residents are often particularly vulnerable to infections due to their weakened immune systems, even with vaccinations reducing the severity of the symptoms. The potential for transmission is also heightened due to the close quarters and frequent interactions between residents and staff. There is simply no fully effective way, short of a lockdown, of preventing viruses entering care home facilities.
Therefore, implementing ozone generators can offer several benefits:
- Enhanced disinfection: Ozone is highly effective when it comes to reaching and neutralising pathogens in areas such as crevices and porous surfaces
- Air and surface purification: Ozone purifies the air by oxidising and breaking down airborne contaminants, including viruses, bacteria, and mould spores. Once it is finished air quality is improved
- Reduction of odours: Ozone eliminates odours caused by bacteria and other organic compounds, improving the overall air quality, also helping to meeting CQC standards
- Cost-effectiveness: They reduce the need for multiple cleaning products and labour-intensive disinfection processes
Is ozone safe for use in populated areas?
This is a very reasonable question and one that regularly comes up at care forums and similar events. As with many natural gases such as nitrogen or even oxygen, very large quantities of ozone are not good for us. Some generators, such as the Eclipse range from Ozofresh, can only be used in enclosed spaces if they are empty. The process is to remove the resident, start the ozone generator, and then leave and lock or otherwise prevent access to the room. The timer will release, circulate, and then destroy the ozone. Once it is finished, the room is safe for use. Any residual ozone will now be at safe levels.
Smaller devices such as the Ozofresh PlugIn or Aura will release a background level of ozone mostly for odour control. Many care environments use the Eclipse Pro during a monthly deep clean or for specific needs such as virus control. They will then use the Aura device for corridors and other populated areas, and the low-level release PlugIn in resident rooms, to provide ongoing odour control. Both produce ozone at well below the Health & Safety Executive’s recommended levels and are perfectly safe for general use.
Ready to explore ozone’s potential for purifying air and reducing the spread of viruses? Explore our full range of Ozofresh products today.


