A Comparison Analysis: Ozone Disinfectants VS Alcohol-Based Disinfectants

Ozone disinfectants and alcohol-based disinfectants (represented by 75% ethanol) differ significantly in their principles, applications, and characteristics.

1. Core Principles

Mechanism of Action

Ozone Disinfectants primarily relies on strong oxidation to kill pathogens. For example, hydrogen peroxide has powerful oxidizing properties to directly oxidize and decompose the structural components of bacteria and viruses, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, thereby inactivating them.  

Alcohol primarily achieves disinfection and sterilization through protein denaturation. It penetrates into the interior of microorganisms, causing proteins to coagulate and denature, thereby killing the microbes.

Process: Ozone Disinfectants conduct a chemical reaction that completely decomposes organic matter into carbon dioxide and water.  Alcohol acts through a physicochemical process that inactivates proteins but generally does not decompose organic matter.

Residue: Ozone Disinfectants decompose into oxygen (for ozone) or water and oxygen (for hydrogen peroxide), leaving no chemical residue. After alcohol evaporates, no residue remains. However, it may leave stains such as coagulated proteins.

2. Key Characteristics Comparison

-Spectrum & Efficacy

Ozone Disinfectants are extremely broad-spectrum and highly effective to kill bacteria, viruses (including enveloped and non-enveloped viruses), fungi, and spores. It is also effective against stubborn microorganisms that alcohol may fail to eliminate, such as norovirus and bacterial spores.

Alcohol-Based Disinfectant are broad-spectrum but ineffective against certain viruses and spores. It's highly effective against bacterial propagules and enveloped viruses (e.g., COVID-19, influenza viruses) but ineffective or less effective against hydrophilic non-enveloped viruses (e.g., norovirus, hand-foot-mouth virus, hepatitis A virus) and bacterial spores.

-Speed of Action

 Ozone disinfectant requires a certain contact time (minutes to tens of minutes) to achieve the required concentration and time (CT value).   Alcohol-Based Disinfectant acts rapidly, typically within seconds to a minute.                                        

-Spatial & Surface Coverage

Excellent gas/atomization capability. Ozone or active oxygen exists as a gas, and hydrogen peroxide can be atomized, enabling three-dimensional disinfection with gap-free coverage of air and surfaces. | Limited to contact disinfection. Suitable only for hands, skin, and small surface areas; cannot disinfect the air.

-Corrosiveness & Safety

 Ozone disinfectant risks its strong oxidation. It can corrode or bleach rubber, metals, fabrics, and electronics. High-concentrations Ozone disinfectants are highly irritating to the respiratory tract and eyes, requiring use in unoccupied environments and thorough ventilation before re-entry.

Alcohol-Based Disinfectant is relatively mild, safe for most materials, though its long-term use may age certain plastics or coatings. It's flammable and must be kept away from open flames. It may cause skin dryness or allergies due to its degreasing effect. it's safe for hand and skin disinfection.

-Usage:

Ozone disinfectants are complex and requires professional equipment, such as ozone generators or hydrogen peroxide atomizers. It involves standardized procedures and long waiting times.

Alcohol-Based Disinfectants are extremely simple and convenient. It can be ready to use without equipment, ideal for personal and daily disinfection needs.     

-Cost:

Ozone disinfectants needs high initial investment in equipment, relatively low operational costs. Low cost per use but moderate consumable costs for large-scale applications.  Alcohol-Based Disinfectants are low cost, widely accessible, and economical for daily use.   

3. Applications

Ozone Disinfectants:

(1) Terminal disinfection: Hospital wards, laboratories, ambulances, biosafety cabinets.  

(2) Space disinfection: Food processing plants, cold storage, hotel rooms, school classrooms (when unoccupied).  

(3) Object disinfection: Medical instruments, drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment.  

(4) Odor removal: Decomposes formaldehyde, smoke odors, mold smells, etc.

Alcohol-Based Disinfectants:

(1) Hand and skin disinfection: Medical hand sanitization, daily hand cleaning.  

(2) Small surface disinfection: Phones, keyboards, glasses, doorknobs, tabletops.  

(3) Pre-puncture skin disinfection: Skin preparation before injections or blood draws.  

(4) Household and small-scale disinfection: Quick and convenient disinfection anytime, anywhere.

4. Summary and Recommendations

(1) For gap-free disinfection of an entire room or space: Choose ozone disinfection (in unoccupied environments).  

(2) To eliminate stubborn pathogens like norovirus or spores: Opt for professional-grade ozone disinfection.  

(3) For quick, on-the-go disinfection (e.g., hands, phones): Choose alcohol-based disinfectants.  

(4) For disinfection in occupied environments: Only alcohol-based disinfectants are suitable for localized wiping or hand sanitization.

(5) For disinfecting precision instruments or valuable electronics: Use caution with both. Alcohol is relatively safer but should be prevented from seeping into internal components. Ozone and hydrogen peroxide may corrode circuits.  

(6) For daily preventive disinfection in households: Alcohol-based disinfectants are the mainstream and preferred choice due to their safety, convenience, and effectiveness.

In summary, ozone disinfectants serve as a "professional, powerful, and residue-free space cleaner," while alcohol-based disinfectants act as "convenient, safe, and instant surface sanitizers." The two complement each other within the disinfection system rather than serving as substitutes.