Air purifiers come in a variety of forms. One such type is the ionic air purifier.
Brief History of Ionic Purifier Development
1974 saw research emanating from the Swiss Meteorological Institute on why it was that people were negatively affected (e.g. headaches, depression, heart attacks) by various trade winds around the earth. Known winds such as the Sirocco in Italy, the Mistral in France, the Sharav in the Middle East and the Foehn in Switzerland were examined.
What came out of these studies was one common factor in all cases was the prevalence of a super high concentration of positively charged ions in the winds. Areas of recent rainfall or close to a waterfall were also found to contain largely negatively charged air-borne particles. Whilst positive ions detracted from a person’s health, negative ions promoted health, benefits (e.g. increased plant and animal growth, improved animal relaxation and alertness) were seen above 1000 negative ions per cubic centimeter of air.
How modern Ionizing Air Purifiers Function
These devices are ionizing machines which charge passing air-borne particles so that they become negative (neutrally charged atoms or molecules gain one or more electrons) and settle on surfaces in the room. Out of the air column, these particles are then less likely to be inhaled and give people potential problems, e.g. allergic reactions or nausea. Quick movements of people in rooms can create small movements of air capable of redistributing the settled particles back into the air. To counter this many ionizing purifiers house positively (neutrally charged atoms or molecules that have lost electrons) charged metal plates that attract the negatively ionized particles to them. An occasional clean of these plates keeps them working optimally.
Ionizing air purifiers are commonly purchased due to them not releasing any chemicals into the atmosphere, low energy usage, no replacement filters being required, and a very low level of operating noise generated.
PHI Cell ionizers are in particular very effective modern air purifiers able to create large quantities of negative ions whilst emitting almost zero ozone. This technology supersedes HEPA air purifiers in that it is able to remove particles as small as 0.001 microns, the size of various pesticides, herbicides and many viruses.
Gasses (e.g. carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide) are typically what cause the majority of bad odors, these air purifiers are very efficient at removing this type of pollutant, alongside the larger dust particles, pollen and so on.