Ozone

From WikiMD's medical encyclopedia

(Redirected from Ozonation)

Ozone (O3), or trioxygen, is a molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. It is a pale blue gas with a distinctively pungent smell. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope (O2), breaking down with a half-life of about half an hour in the lower atmosphere, to normal dioxygen. Ozone is formed from dioxygen by the action of ultraviolet (UV) light and electrical discharges within the Earth's atmosphere.

Formation and breakdown

Ozone is formed in the Earth's atmosphere when oxygen molecules become dissociated by solar radiation into individual oxygen atoms. These atoms can then combine with oxygen molecules to form ozone. The process is called the ozone-oxygen cycle.

Ozone can also be created by electrical discharges, such as lightning, and by certain chemical reactions. For example, ozone is produced in the photochemical reactions that result in smog.

Role in the atmosphere

Ozone plays a crucial role in the atmosphere. The highest levels of ozone in the atmosphere are in the ozone layer, a region located in the stratosphere several kilometers above the Earth's surface. Here, ozone absorbs most of the Sun's high-frequency ultraviolet light, which is damaging to life on Earth.

Health effects

Exposure to ozone can have various health effects. It can cause breathing problems, trigger asthma, reduce lung function and cause lung diseases. In addition to these, it is also a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential much higher than that of CO2.

See also

WHO Rod.svg
This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

  • Ozone

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:

NYC weight loss doctor appointments

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.

Linkedin_Shiny_Icon Facebook_Shiny_Icon YouTube_icon_(2011-2013) Google plus


Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/w/index.php?title=Ozone&oldid=6324232#Aquaculture"

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD