What Is an Air Ionizer?

Three different air filtration systems are popular in the U.S. today: the HEPA system, the air ionization system and the ozone generation system. The only one of these that has been clinically proven to work and has no replaceable filters or other maintenance costs is the air ionization system. It is also the cleanest, quietest and cheapest--small wonder that it is also the most popular.

History

Air ionization technology began with a 1974 Swiss Meteorological Institute study to find out why people were reporting headaches, depression and heart attacks when exposed to trade winds around the Earth. The study showed that these winds produced an excess of positively charged air molecules that seemed to be producing the negative effects.

Identification

Once atmospheric ionization was identified, people started looking for examples of negative air ionization and found plenty. The air is negatively ionized after rain and lightning and around waterfalls and white water. As these atmospheric conditions are universally considered "fresh" and "invigorating," it was natural to look at the benefits of negatively charged air.

Function

Air Ionizers work by blowing air over needles that have a high negative charge, This causes the air molecules (mostly N2 and O2) to become negatively charged.

Features

When the negatively charged molecules disperse throughout the room, they attach to dust, pollen, smoke particles or airborne bacteria, which then settle to the floor. By sending out negatively charged particles to neutralize airborne particles, an air ionizer scrubs the room air clean.

Benefits

Hundreds of studies have shown the benefits of breathing clean air--especially for people with asthma or allergies. Large hospitals now have both ionization rooms and portable ionization units to ease the breathing of patients with severe respiratory problems.

References

• HEPA
• Air Ionization
• Ozone Generation

Resources

• How Air Ionization Works