Corona discharge influences ozone concentrations near rats

• Published in: Bioelectromagnetics Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 107 - 113
• Main Authors: Goheen, Steven C., Gaither, Kari, Anantatmula, Shantha M., Mong, Gary M., Sasser, Lyle B., Lessor, Delbert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.02.2004
• Subjects: air ions; Air Pollution - analysis; Animals; Body Water - chemistry; Body Water - radiation effects; CONCENTRATION RATIO; CORONA DISCHARGES; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Ecological Systems, Closed; electric field; ELECTRIC GROUNDS; Electromagnetic Fields; Environmental Exposure - analysis; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; free radicals; Male; MAMMALS; OZONE; Ozone - analysis; Ozone - chemical synthesis; Ozone - radiation effects; Radiation Dosage; RATS; Rats, Inbred F344; SYNTHESIS; WATER; Water - chemistry
• ISSN: 0197-8462; 1521-186X
• DOI: 10.1002/bem.10161

Ozone can be produced by corona discharge either in dry air or when one electrode is submerged in water. Since ozone is toxic, we examined whether ozone production by corona near laboratory animals could reach levels of concern. Male rats were exposed to a corona discharge and the concentration of ozone produced was measured. The resulting concentration of ozone ranged from ambient levels to 250 ppb when animals were located 1 cm from a 10 kV source. Similar ozone concentrations were observed when a grounded water source was present. Possible explanations for, as well as concerns regarding, ozone production under these conditions are discussed. Bioelectromagnetics 25:107–113, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.