From the Subdirectorate General for Clean Air and Industrial Sustainability, as the competent body in the environmental evaluation of biocidal products, and as a result of various inquiries that have reached the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, it is considered necessary to clarify the following:
It is allowed to market ozone as a disinfectant as long as it complies with the regulations in force, minimizing as far as possible its release to the environment.
1. The use of ozone is only foreseen in the legal cases notified to the competent authorities. This assumes that the possible uses only include:
- Disinfectants for surfaces, materials, equipment and furniture that are not used in direct contact with food or feed. Example: car interior disinfectant as well as the professional air conditioning system or pool water disinfectant.
- Disinfectants for equipment, materials, surfaces, related to food or feed for people or animals. Example: disinfection of warehouse of packaged products.
- Drinking water disinfectant
2. The use of ozone as a disinfectant should not be done in natural environments.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health warns that ozone, like other biocides:
- It cannot be applied in the presence of people.
- Applicators must have adequate protective equipment.
- Being a dangerous chemical, it can produce adverse effects. The classification of this substance as dangerous for respiratory tract, skin irritation and eye damage is reported in the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) classification inventory.
- The disinfected area should be adequately ventilated before use.
- It can react with flammable substances and can produce dangerous chemical reactions on contact with other chemicals.
