Ozone disinfection is known to be particularly effective against which entities?

Ozone disinfection is particularly effective against viruses and bacteria due to its strong oxidizing properties. Ozone, a triatomic form of oxygen, reacts with the cell membranes of microorganisms, disrupting their structure and function. This process leads to the inactivation of bacteria, including both pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains, making it a powerful disinfectant. Additionally, ozone is effective against viruses, as it can destroy their protein coats and nucleic acids, preventing them from replicating and causing infection.

In contrast, while ozone can have some effectiveness against protozoa, its efficacy is not as pronounced as with bacteria and viruses. Protozoan cysts, such as those from Giardia and Cryptosporidium, can be more resilient, potentially requiring additional treatment methods for complete inactivation. Heavy metals are not affected by ozone disinfection, as they do not have the cellular structures that ozone targets; instead, they would require different treatment approaches such as chemical precipitation or bioremediation.