Which contaminants can ozone treatment effectively eliminate?

Ozone treatment is highly effective at eliminating viruses and bacteria due to the strong oxidative properties of ozone (O3). Ozone acts on microbial cells by disrupting the cell membranes and nucleic acids, which leads to their inactivation or destruction. This makes ozone a powerful disinfectant, particularly valuable in water treatment processes where pathogenic organisms must be removed to ensure water safety.

While ozone can affect other contaminants, its primary use in water treatment is for targeting biological pathogens. The process of ozonation is particularly beneficial because it does not produce harmful residues that can occur with some chemical disinfectants. Therefore, the distinction of ozone treatment effectively eliminating viruses and bacteria specifically emphasizes its key role in ensuring public health and safety in potable water.

Chlorine residues may be reduced by ozonation, but this is not the primary contaminant ozone treatment is designed to eliminate. Similarly, while some organic solvents can be oxidized by ozone, this is not its main use, and not all organic solvents are effectively treated with ozone. The classification of pathogens alone misses the broader applications against viruses and bacteria that enhance the relevance of ozone in water treatment.