Reported July 2009

ABOUT OZONE: Ozone is a rare component of our atmosphere; there are about three molecules of ozone per every 10 million air molecules, and yet it plays a vital role in human health. Most ozone (90%) can be found in an upper layer of the Earth's atmosphere called the stratosphere. It is beneficial because it absorbs most of the damaging ultraviolet sunlight, which can cause skin cancers, among other conditions. The remaining 10% of ozone can be found in a lower region called the troposphere. Here, it reacts with other molecules to produce smog, which has toxic effects on crops, forest growth, and human health. When ozone comes into contact with bacterial cell walls, it starts a powerful reaction that breaks down the cell and the bacteria dies.

HOW DO E. COLI AND SALMONELLA GET INTO OUR FOOD? E. coli is a type of bacteria that often resides within the intestinal tracks of many animals, including people. Many strains are harmless, but strain 0157 causes serious food poisoning. In the intestines, the bacteria help to maintain health by producing vitamin K, and by keeping other species out. When fecal matter, manure, or pieces of the intestines are poorly processed and come into contact with meat or vegetables, the bacteria contained within them can attach themselves to food. Salmonella is also a bacteria, capable of causing diarrhea and other potentially severe illnesses. It can be found in water, fecal matter, and the intestines of mammals and birds. The best defense against infection is careful cleaning and cooking of meats and eggs.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.-USA, contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Kevin Keener, PhD
Food Scientist
Purdue University
kkeener@purdue.edu

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
IEEE
Pender McCarter
IEEE http://www.ieee.org
IEEE-USA http://www.ieeeusa.org
p.mccarter@ieee.org

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