Nature provides all of creation with two handy little things called negative and positive ions. Atoms in the air that lose or gain an electron become either positive or negative ions, and these necessary electrical charges need to be well balanced in order for a healthy environment to occur. In big cities during rush hour when air pollution is at a high, the air is comprised of nearly only positive ions and lacking negative. As well, in a home that is bundled up, energy efficient and full of tiny pollutant particles, negative ion deficiency can be a problem.
Positive and negative ions are created everywhere in nature; from lightning, falling water, solar and cosmic radiation, evergreens and the earth’s radioactivity, as well as simple wind friction. However, in your home, it’s unlikely that you’ll have an evergreen planted in the middle of your living room, or lightning bolts flashing through the bathroom. Thanks to years of scientific research, ion generators have been manufactured for just this purpose.
Ion air purifiers are created to balance the ion charges in the air, creating a much more healthy environment. Symptoms of positive ion overexposure are dizziness, headaches, depression, anxiety and a wide variety of other common complaints. Ion air purifiers negatively charge the ions, which enables them to collide with airborne contaminants, negatively charging them. When the negative and the positive ions meet, they join and begin to build up in an ongoing process. When the ions and particles have reached sizes too heavy to stay afloat, they harmlessly drop to the floor, where they can be vacuumed up and whisked away. The result is an air environment free of any pollutants or particles.
There are two types of ionizers used in ionic air purifiers. Electrostatic Precipitators, also called plate ionizers, electrically charge an area between conductive plates. Incoming particles have an opposite charge and accumulate on the plates. One drawback of this type of purifier is that it only removes particles from the air that actually passes through the filter. They also require frequent cleaning to remove the particles and avoid a buildup of bacteria.
Needlepoint ionizers use an extremely pointed surface, such as a needlepoint to disperse electrons into the air. The ions collect harmful particles and eventually become to heavy to remain airborne. Proponents of ionic air purifiers claim that the particles fall to the floor, while opponents say that needlepoint ionizers cause particles to attract to positively charged wall, causing the phenomenon known as “black wall.”
Ionic air purifiers don’t eliminate odors and while they remove many viruses or fungi from the air, they don’t kill them. So some ionic air purifiers may also have features such as a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration (HEPA) filter or ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, mold and viruses.
Ozone is a byproduct of an ionic air purifier. In larger quantities, it can be harmful, especially to people with respiratory problems. The FDA has set a limit of 0.05 parts per million of ozone in indoor air. Most newer, ionic purifiers meet these standards.
Recent Comments