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.

4.1 Reduction of Odors 4.

4.2 Removal of Smoke and Tobacco Odors 6.

4.3 Reduction of Airborne Bacteria 7.

4.4 Effect of Ozium on Pathogenic Bacteria 8.

5. Conclusions 11.

6. Acknowledgements 12

7. References 13.

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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 22.7%

Triethylene glycol 4.4%

Propylene glycol 4.4%

Essential oils 3.5%

Inert ingredients 65.0%

(propellant)

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.

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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.

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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.

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4. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

The experiments carried to evaluate the efficacy of Ozium have been split into four main

sections as follows:

i) Reduction in bathroom, kitchen and laboratory malodors.

ii) Removal of smoke and odors caused by cigarette, pipe and cigar ash.

iii) Reduction of airborne bacteria.

iv) 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

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.

Degree of Odor

Number of Participants

+++

++

+

-

10

0

0

2

8

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4.1.2 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) Excreta from animals.

ii) Experiments involving the acid hydrolisation of urine

to extract oestrogens for pregnancy tests.

iii) 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.

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4.1.4 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

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two 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.

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Table 2

Number of Colonies % Reduction

of Bacteria

Experiment

Plate Exposed

(Mins)

Ozium Control

1.

1 spray @ 0 mins.

60

90

120

25

35

40

75

85

82

66

59

52

2.

1 spray @ 0 & 60

minutes

60

90

120

31

28

14

90

75

78

66

63

82

3.

1 spray @ 0,60,90

minutes

60

90

120

40

33

28

45

63

72

11

48

62

4.

2 sprays @ 0 mins.

60 8 75 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 non-

pathogenic (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.-9-

The 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.

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In 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) Staphylococcus Aureus

ii) Escherichia Coli

iii) 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: 1/10 1/20 1/40 1/80 1/160 1/320 1/640 CONT

Mgm Ozium 10 5 2.5 1.25 0.625 0.34 0.16 X

Mgm active

Ingredients

0.88

0.44

0.22

0.11

0.055

0.028

0.014

X

Test Organisms:

Saprophytic

Bacteria

-

-

-

-

-

-

+

++

Staph. Aureus - - - - - + ++ ++

E. Coli - - - + + ++ ++ ++

Ps. Aeruginosa - + ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Key:

- No Growth + Some Growth ++ Heavy Growth

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From 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.

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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.

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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..

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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 non-

ventilated 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 non-

ventilated 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%.