Ozone As Pesticide

Makarand writes "Purdue University researchers in the search for alternatives to insect fumigants that damage Earth's ozone layer have found that ozone gas can be used as a potent pesticide without causing any environmental harm. Farmers could use ozone generators to get rid of insects in their grain bins by releasing ozone in them."

Comments

Low Concentrations

[Rosonowski]

Well, low concentrations are present even in your body. Your immune system uses the ozone to punch holes in bacteria.

After a rainstorm, that funky smell is ozone, created by the lightning passing through the atmosphere.

So, small amounts isn't too bad.

Already used for tap water

[Papineau]

Ozone is already used in quite a few water treatment facilities. It's germicide properties are long known.

There's even a company (TSO3) which uses it to sterilize chirurgical instruments, instead of high temps.

Using ozone to kill bugs is simply another use for it, although I wonder if they try to get it back or if they release it in the atmosphere.

Ozone + Grain = Explosion!

[Bruce Perens]

Ozone is a superoxydizer. That's how it kills bacteria and insects. Grain silos already have explosion problems with normal atmospheres - the suspended grain dust tends to form an explosive mixture. Put a superoxydizer in there, and and it might get worse.

There are health issues - though probably not that big - perhaps more free radicals in the air to give you lung cancer, and whatever you get when the ozone recombines with other gases, etc. Maybe nitrous oxides?

Bruce

Re:Ozone + Grain = Explosion!

[IIRCAFAIKIANAL]

I had never heard of this (and I lived in rural Alberta for much of my life) so I hunted around and found this. Just thought I would share it.

Here is a less amusing but more informative site about it as well.

Farming is dangerous work. Between the War Amps commercials ("I lost my arms playing around a thresher!") and the possibility of falling into a grain silo and drowning, it's dangerous enough without adding the whole "exploding silo's" to the mix.

It's hard, easy to go bankrupt, and dangerous. I have nothing but respect for the people that take on that profession.