Active oxygen can be used to disinfect wastewater. Does this mean it has no harm? Of course not! In this chapter, we will discuss the hazards and benefits of active oxygen with the manufacturer of online water quality monitoring instruments.It is very important to clearly understand the harm and benefits of reactive oxygen species!
The Harm of Reactive oxygen Species (ROS) to Humans
Oxygen is an indispensable gas in the process of life movement. Once people are in an environment with oxygen deficiency or insufficient oxygen supply, they will feel suffocated and even die.
However, both oxygen in the air and dissolved oxygen in water have high oxidizing properties. Just like common metals such as iron, all parts of the human body exposed to the air are constantly corroded by oxygen and “rust”. Of course, this kind of corrosion is different from that of iron; it is manifested at the cellular level of the human body. Especially, the continuous aging of various organs in the human body with age is a direct manifestation of this kind of corrosion and “rusting”.
That is to say, oxygen can damage our bodies at the cellular level, and this damage is mainly caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) within our bodies.
According to their sources, reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be classified into two types: one is the derivatives of the air we inhale in our bodies, and the other is the reactive oxygen species (ROS) existing in nature.
Once they enter the human body, they will generate aging substances, damage genetic factors, and become the biggest culprit of all diseases and aging.
Macroscopic phenomena of reactive oxygen species harm: After inhaling reactive oxygen species (ROS), symptoms such as accelerated breathing, shallower breathing, and chest tightness can occur. Then the pulse quickens and there is a headache; In severe cases, emphysema may occur and even lead to death.
The Ministry of Health of our country stipulates that the maximum allowable mass concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the atmosphere is 0.2 milligrams per cubic meter.
Benefits of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
Of course, reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body are not always harmful; they also have beneficial aspects for the organism.
For instance, when the cell membranes of phagocytes within the body are stimulated, they produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the respiratory burst mechanism, which serves as the primary medium for phagocytes to exert their phagocytic and killing functions.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be used for disinfection. Active oxygen is a strong oxidant with a wide range of microbial killing effects, including bacteria, spores, viruses, fungi, etc. Its killing speed is 600 to 3,000 times faster than that of chlorine. In recent years, due to the development of science and technology, there have been new developments in the application of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in disinfection, such as water, air, object surfaces, food, and vegetables. Currently, it is also applied in sterilization in industry and agriculture.
The killing effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on microorganisms mainly relies on their strong oxidizing effect. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a broad-spectrum bactericide that can kill bacterial propagules, bacterial spores, viruses, and fungi. It also has a good killing effect on protozoa and their oocysts, and can destroy bacterial toxins, hepatitis B surface antigen, etc.
If active oxygen is used to disinfect wastewater, it is necessary to avoid the harm caused by active oxygen. Remember! The instrument used for real-time detection of active oxygen in wastewater is called the “ROS900 Active Oxygen Online Analyzer“.
