Now let’s add the king of odor elimination technology and refinement to the equation and discover a new approach and solution in combating offensive grooming odor problems. The ozone generator was developed to rid large areas of offensive odors, overnight in indoor businesses and spaces prone to high scent sensitivity issues. The penetration of O₃ (ozone) into not only the indoor atmosphere, but also all adjacent materials makes it doubly effective at eliminating stubborn saturated materials that have been penetrated and had remained immune to old-fashioned masking sprays. This system, designed to be operated overnight without personnel present while also excluding certain inorganic materials, is an effective method of odor control to date that can reduce odorous scents in the working environment to a neutral sensitivity state.
Witnessing a field test of this solution by the author convinced me that this approach to odor control in the animal care environment may be the most significant advancement in our industry.
The observed test occurred in an RV motorhome that was stolen and trashed by vagrants and then not recovered for several months, with spoiled food and highly-soiled, saturated material strewn everywhere. This high-end RV internally was filled with bacteria-laden, rotted and putrefied food material with human feces and an odd assortment of insect critters thrown in for good measure.
The insurance company was obligated to remedy and correct not only the vehicle’s physical damages, but also the habitable consequences caused by food spoilage and human waste, as well as overall general destruction to the interior and an unsurprising massive odor overload.
Called in to consult on this rehab, I entered this challenged ultra-expensive RV environment. The author’s strong aversion to smells allowed only two steps into the vehicle, and the auto-gag mechanism kicked in with overwhelming odors weakening the knees. I could not take another step, and bolted out.
By running an O₃ (ozone) generator for three hours and then a continuous run the next night without physically scouring or cleaning the RV, the cleaning crew could finally enter and operate without masks. What a change! Several days of surface cleaning, including carpets and fabrics would follow. At no time during our RV decontamination were people, personnel, animals, and restricted items exposed to ozone, and reentry into the vehicle gave no hint of ozone presence.
The grooming industry can also greatly benefit from the use of the ozone generator technology. The commercial restoration industry offers ozone generation as a service, which includes overnight timing devices that even offer dual controls operating the ozone generator for a specific amount of time, then energizing an air purifier for the remainder of the off-hours period that cleanses the contaminants remaining in the affected contamination area.
The cleaning crew and myself included were quite amazed at how the effective and thorough removal of odor had caused this motor home to almost return to being a first class, livable asset. The crew further surveyed for any scent or odor present in every nook and cranny including bedding material which had been exposed during treatment as well as the all-important and sensitive refrigeration unit for any hint of nasty odor. The result – absolutely no odors found.
No one can promise results that will always satisfy every peculiar and hypersensitive individual, but I think we’ve come a long way in determining how to completely odor neutralize and have a positive public reaction to a very nasty, odor-filled disaster.
For those who wish to change an industry’s negative to a grooming business positive, check the next article to discover “the frosting on the cake” solution.
Till Next Time,
The Professor