Many folks only hear of ozone as it relates to the atmosphere or urban pollution. While ozone is ozone there is a big difference between that situation and industrial ozone use. Ozone is useful in the upper atmosphere and blocks harmful UV radiation from reaching the surface. The UV radiation from the sun is not as much blocked as it is really used up in the upper atmosphere actually producing Ozone gas. The more oxygen available in the upper atmosphere and more UV radiation the more ozone that is produced and the less UV that comes down to the surface.
Ozone pollution alerts that many have seen or heard about in urban areas are really a misunderstanding for most. When there is a lot of air pollution in the lower atmosphere where we breath, and there is little air movement or stagnant air patterns (that can occur in big cities or valleys), then some of those compounds react with leftover UV light from the sun and produce ozone in the lower atmosphere. This ozone then begins to clean up the air pollution that actually caused its formation. That sounds great, but it is not welcome. Ozone is a strong oxidizer more powerful than chlorine and can negatively affect the lung function of the young, sick or elderly. The other components of air pollution are bad for you also. Keeping our air clean and not emitting VOCs and other noxious compounds is preferable. Using ozone in industry to prevent air pollution is the best way to go and using it in that fashion is very environmentally friendly. Ozone reverts back to oxygen after it reacts or breaks down.

Ozone or tri-atomic oxygen is the second most powerful oxidizer known, second only to elemental fluorine. It is extremely fast acting and is able to destroy many compounds that traditional oxidants, like chlorine cannot touch. It has been used industrially for over 100 years and has the best safety record of any strong industrial oxidant. Because it is relatively short lived it must be generated as needed and is not suitable for long-term storage.

How to use ozone in industry

Ozone Safety