In the world of sustainable solutions there is an age-old debate about environmentally safe alternatives being more expensive than toxic ones. It typically sounds something like one group saying "we should Go Green no matter the cost!" and the other group saying "Easy for you to say, you don't have a business to run and costs to keep under control to stay competitive!" But what if we could have both an environmentally safe solution that cost less to use and was even more effective than the chemical wash-down solution currently being used?
Ozone is a naturally occurring molecule. In a gaseous form it can be very dangerous to breathe in above 0.1PPM however when injected and mixed in water is harmless to humans yet 3000 faster acting disinfectant than bleach! So why don’t we use this instead of chemical cleaners?
The Netherlands first starting using ozone to disinfect their drinking water in 1893…it wasn’t until 1987, almost 100 years later, that Los Angeles implemented a 600 mgd drinking water treatment plant. Over 2000 installations world-wide now use ozone, sometimes complimented with ultraviolet light to disinfect and treat drinking water. Not only does it kill the harmful biological enemies that form and can be found in water, it also has the ability to precipitate certain harmful chemicals into large enough particles that can be safely filtered out.
There are many different applications that ozone can be used for sanitization. For the last 17 years I have worked with large and small manufacturers in variety of sectors in their transportation and logistics as well as energy, waste, and facility systems. The simplest application I can see to start off with is the food and beverage industry. These businesses are often running 2 or 3 shifts, sometimes 1 entirely dedicated to sanitation and disinfecting of equipment. Using hot water and expensive chemical cleaners these facilities have teams of people spraying down, scrubbing, and rinsing off all sorts of machinery, trays, containers, mixing bins, cold storage areas, coolers, freezers, and many other types of areas to remove the contaminants and food remnants that contribute to bacteria, mold, and foodborne illness. Often times, as in some breweries, a separate piping system has to be installed just for the sanitation. The chemicals break down the equipment and pipes over time and weaken gaskets, seals, and other components leading to costly maintenance upkeep.
I know change takes time, but I think it’s time for us to look at moving to a better way of doing things. With the amount of washing, cleaning, disinfecting, and protecting we are needing to do, now more than ever, why wouldn’t we use a lower cost, more effective, safe and natural way to protect ourselves from these risks to our food supply chain?
I have recently starting working with Nebula Group who manufactures portable wash-down units, wall mount retrofit kits, and water treatment machines right here in Leamington, Ontario. For 25 years they have supported the greenhouse market and have feeding and water treatment systems in over 300 million square feet of indoor growing spaces across North America.
As we have all had to evolve our business and careers as times are changing I am excited to expand to provide this solution set. We would love to help look at your facility and develop a complimentary proposal design that works for your specific sanitization needs!
Enjoy more information and examples of industries that can benefit at nebulaozone.com
