DANGER OF THE OLEANDER - Though often grown as an ornamental, all parts of the plant contain poisonous cardiac glycoside toxins that interfere with the functioning of the heart if ingested. All parts of the oleander shrub are poisonous, from the nectar in the flowers to the stems, twigs and leaves. Water in a vase that has held oleander flowers is toxic, and honey produced by bees that have visited the shrub may also be toxic. Burning any part of the plant will result in smoke that can cause respiratory problems. The sap will often lead to skin rashes. Oleander poisoning can cause a range of symptoms, including but not limited to blurred vision, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain and nausea. People poisoned by an oleander may feel confused, dizzy or weak, with a slow or irregular heartbeat and a feeling of weakness. Extremities eventually become cold, and the person may tremble, collapse and fall into a coma. Death may follow. Toxins are especially dangerous for the very young and elderly.

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Danger of the Oleander

Michelle Wishhart

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a flowering evergreen member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) that grows easily in sunny, well-drained sites in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10.

Though often grown as an ornamental, all parts of the plant contain poisonous cardiac glycoside toxins that interfere with the functioning of the heart if ingested.

Call the National Poison Control Center immediately if you suspect poisoning in yourself or someone else.

Toxicity

All parts of the oleander shrub are poisonous, from the nectar in the flowers to the stems, twigs and leaves.

Water in a vase that has held oleander flowers is toxic, and honey produced by bees that have visited the shrub may also be toxic.

Burning any part of the plant will result in smoke that can cause respiratory problems.

The sap will often lead to skin rashes. Oleander has not been proven to cause allergies, though some people dislike the fragrance of the flowers.

Symptoms

Oleander poisoning can cause a range of symptoms, including but not limited to blurred vision, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain and nausea.

People poisoned by an oleander may feel confused, dizzy or weak, with a slow or irregular heartbeat and a feeling of weakness.

Extremities eventually become cold, and the person may tremble, collapse and fall into a coma. Death may follow.

Toxins are especially dangerous for the very young and elderly, according to the University of Nevada.

Pets

Curious pets may nibble on the plant, with potentially fatal consequences.

Symptoms of poisoning in a cat or dog resemble symptoms in humans and may include drooling, vomiting, abnormal heart rate, trembling and seizures, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.

If poisoning is suspected, the University of Nevada recommends calling a veterinarian immediately and keeping the pet as calm as possible to reduce stress on their heart.

The sooner your pet gets medical care, the better their chance of surviving.

Prevention

Oleanders in the home garden must be regarded with caution. Wear protective gloves and eyewear, as well as long sleeves and pants, when pruning or handling the shrub.

Never burn or mulch with oleander plant debris: dispose of it in a landfill.

The shrub may not be suitable for households with pets or children and should not be grown near vegetable gardens or livestock areas such as pastures and corrals.

Oleanders should be kept away from pathways and entryways where people could potentially brush up against it.

Michelle Wishhart is a writer based in Portland, Ore. She has been writing professionally since 2005, starting with her position as a staff arts writer for City on a Hill Press, an alternative weekly newspaper in Santa Cruz, Calif. An avid gardener, Wishhart worked as a Wholesale Nursery Grower at Encinal Nursery for two years. Wishhart holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and English literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/danger-oleander-67061.html

OZONE GENERATORS - Ozone can be generated in two ways -- silent corona discharge and ultra-violet radiation. Ultra-violet generation involves the use of mercury and creates issues around proper disposal. The silent corona method produces more ozone than the other method and is a much more efficient process. While useful in industrial (purifying water, bleaching wood pulp, detoxifying cyanide waste) and medical applications (killing bacteria, viruses, odors) where strict standards are followed for manufacturing and using the generators, the use of ozone in smaller home or personal devices could be harmful. Those used in industrial and medical settings are used in unoccupied situations.

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Ozone Generators

How Do Ozone Generators Work?

By Alex Burke

Characteristics of Ozone?

Ozone is oxygen but in a different form. It contains three oxygen molecules and not two.

The third molecule can detach and apply itself to other chemicals or substances. This ability to attach to other substances means the ozone is able to alter these substances. This is why ozone is generated and used for certain purposes.

Using Ozone

Ozone is found in layers of the earth's atmosphere where it filters out harmful ultra-violet rays.

When ozone is found at the ground level, it is harmful to the respiratory system.

Used as an industrial gas, ozone cannot be created and then transported because it decays quickly. Instead, it must be created on site.

Because it oxidizes metal, the choices for its containment are limited.

Titanium, stainless steel, glass, aluminum and polymers polytetrafluorethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride are used to contain ozone.

Generating Ozone

Ozone can be generated in two ways -- silent corona discharge and ultra-violet radiation.

The ultra-violet generation is like the process of ozone creation in the upper atmosphere and the corona discharge is similar to the way ozone is generated in lightning.

Ultra-violet generation involves the use of mercury and creates issues around proper disposal.

The silent corona method produces more ozone than the other method and is a much more efficient process.

Silent Corona Discharge

The silent corona discharge method consists of a unit with these parts--dust filters, gas dryers, a source of oxygen, a generator, a contact unit and torch destructor. Dryers and filters clean the oxygen.

The ozone is generated from the cleaned oxygen by electrical discharge just like lightning.

By splitting the oxygen and creating single molecules, the single molecules can attach to oxygen (O2) and create O3. The O3 is then discharged into the room.

Using An Ozone Generator

Ozone generators are controversial.

While useful in industrial (purifying water, bleaching wood pulp, detoxifying cyanide waste) and medical applications (killing bacteria, viruses, odors) where strict standards are followed for manufacturing and using the generators, the use of ozone in smaller home or personal devices could be harmful.

Those used in industrial and medical settings are used in unoccupied situations.

Ozone can cause respiratory irritation so when a device is used in a confined space the device should follow Food and Drug Administration guidelines.

Public health standards have been set that indicate the maximum amount of ozone that is safe for humans to interact with.

For an ozone generator to produce enough ozone to kill bacteria and viruses, it must exceed the public health standards.

About the Author

Alex Burke holds a degree in environmental design and a Master of Arts in information management. She's worked as a licensed interior designer, artist, database administrator and nightclub manager. A perpetual student, Burke writes Web content on a variety of topics, including art, interior design, database design, culture, health and business.

https://sciencing.com/how-do-ozone-generators-work-12170488.html