Ozone Production from UV

Another thread on HN [22705511] points to a press release from a company making a product that uses UVc light to disinfect breathing air. What kind of UVc light is not disclosed, but a search of the website hints at their product using 254 nm light.

Making clean air sounds good, but we should ask: Does it also make ozone? I thought this might be worth checking.

Ozone is pretty toxic even in low concentrations. The recommended and permissible exposure limit is 0.1 ppm [1] as set by both OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) and the NIOSH (United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health).

In looking for information about ozone generation by UVc I found the explanation on the Oxidation Technologies website. They wrote a clear explanation for non experts that answers our question. It appears 254 nm light dissociates ozone to pure oxygen. That would be a statistical result rather than absolute. That is want I want to share here without interfering with the HN discussion on disinfection.

[1] Ozone: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/10028156.html

I have no connection to any of the organizations mentioned.