Explainer

What are ozone machines and why are they controversial?

PA CLASSROOM WALES
The Welsh Government announced last week that it would buy 1,800 ozone disinfecting machines to be distributed across schools, colleges and universities Credit: PA

A £3.3million plan to provide schools in Wales with machines that disinfect classrooms after a coronavirus outbreak has been criticised due to concerns about safety.

The Welsh Government announced last week that it would buy 1,800 ozone disinfecting machines to be distributed across schools, colleges and universities.

But opposition parties quickly raised concerns about the safety of the devices, including the Shadow Education Minister, who queried why a "toxic chemical" would be used in a classroom environment.

The Welsh Government subsequently announced that it would wait for further advice from experts before buying any of the machines, sparking accusations of a "u-turn".

  • What is an ozone disinfecting machine?

The term ozone is most commonly used in reference to the Earth's ozone layer, a thin part of the atmosphere that absorbs much of the sun's harmful ultraviolet light.

The Earth's ozone layer is a thin part of the atmosphere that absorbs much of the sun's harmful ultraviolet light. Credit: PA

But ozone can also be used to purify water and air.

An ozone machine is a device designed to produce the gas as a way to clean indoor air pollution.

Dr Chedly Tizaoui of Swansea University, part of the team who designed the ozone machine which the Welsh Government announced it would purchase, said ozone is "potent" against Covid-19.

"Due to its gaseous nature, it kills the virus whether be it airborne or adhered to a surface", he added.

The Welsh Government said it hoped the machines would reduce the amount of time and money spent cleaning classrooms between Covid outbreaks, meaning less disruption for pupils and teachers.

  • Why are the machines controversial?

In high enough quantities, ozone can be toxic.

It is often used as a chemical to purify water. But to effectively remove pollutants from the air, it must be used in high levels.

According to the UK Government, exposure to ozone can "trigger inflammation of the respiratory tract, eyes, nose and throat as well as asthma attacks."

Plaid Cymru's Health and Care spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, said the machines could only be used to clean the air when nobody was in the room and are "dangerous to use when people are present."

"That’s why serious questions need to be asked about the Government’s judgment in deciding to roll out these particular machines into our schools, colleges and universities – a few days before students begin returning after the summer break", he added.

“What certainty have they been given that this brand-new technology – that hasn’t been fully trialled yet – is safe to use in these settings?"

  • So are ozone machines likely to be rolled out in schools, colleges and universities?

In response to the criticism, the Welsh Government said no machines had yet been purchased, and that it would first wait for its Technical Advisory Group to "consider the results from the early trials of these machines and provide further advice on their use within education settings."

This, in turn, prompted accusations of a u-turn.

Conservative Shadow Minister for Education, Laura Anne Jones MS, said while she welcomed the "apparent u-turn", she found it "absolutely staggering that they didn’t seek advice from scientists before making an announcement."

“Making a rash decision to introduce these toxic chemical-spraying machines, which could have a seriously damaging impact on our youngsters’ heath, without talking to experts is quite frankly a reckless move", she added.

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