Ozone use in surface disinfection: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of using ozone to disinfect surfaces based on an integrative literature review. Methods: A search was carried out in the SciELO, MEDLINE, LILACS, PubMed, Science Direct databases. Eleven articles published from January 2010 to August 2021 were analyzed. All employed the experimental laboratory research model and achieved different levels of disinfection by O3, however, with varied surfaces and products tested, in addition to different methodological procedures. Results: The majority had an inhibition rate by O3 equal to or greater than 90%, thus proving the effectiveness of this agent as a surface disinfectant, even with variations in parameter values such as concentration and exposure time, in all selected articles, even those that did not prove the effectiveness of O3. Conclusion: This review shows the inhibitory power that O3 has on different pathogens, even if there are variables in the factors used for this purpose, highlighting it in front of other disinfectants. Thus, it corroborates the composition of surface disinfection protocols and decision-making among managers and committees about sanitizing technologies.