Ionic Air Purifier

The average home isn’t as clean as it seems. The air inside each new home is five times as polluted as the air

outside due, ironically, to improvements in the way houses are air-conditioned, as they seal in pollutants just as well as they keep in them out. This may lead to increased asthma outbreaks, multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, or other breathing disorders. In order to alleviate this problem, people are turning to air purifiers.

Different air purifiers work differently. Ionic air purifiers use an electrostatic charge to clean the air. By pumping negative ions into the local air, they cause particulates to cling to the surfaces in the immediate area. This works fine until they get stirred up. Thus, an electrostatic precipitator is used: Air is pumped into the purifier using a fan, is charged, and then deposits pollutants on plates. It sends the air through a charcoal filter and then back out. As long as the plates are kept clean, the air purifier works well.

Although they run very quiet, they aren’t as good as HEPA filters. Because of this, many manufacturers put HEPA filters in their ionic air purifiers. Also, because they produce small amounts of ozone, they aren’t recommended for those that suffering from more severe allergy symptoms.

The idea behind the ionic air purifier was born in scientific studies in the mid-seventies. In various places around the world, people were suffering from headaches and other minor complaints, and scientists were investigating the seasonal winds as possible culprits. They found that the winds were sources of positive ions. Converesly, around waterfalls and after rains, they found that there were negative ions. At around 1000 ions per cubic centimeter, humans responded and reap minor health benefits.

Ionic air purifiers essentially create a ratio of 4000 negative ions to 3000 positive ions in the room. Combined with taking the dust out of the air, the persons in the room where an ionic air purifier is used can show dramatic changes in their ability to breath, as well as increased alertness and relaxation.

An ionic air purifier can thus improve a person’s health on two levels. By pumping negative ions into the area, the person gains minor health benefits. By eliminating the particulates in the air, those pollutants aren’t causing as much damage. All in all, an ionic air purifier is a very nice addition to your house.