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Ionizers
An air ioniser is a device which uses high voltage to ionise, or electrically charge, molecules of air. more...
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These machines can be designed either to generate specifically charged ions (all positive or all negative), or to create both polarities indiscriminately. However, most commercial air purifiers are designed to generate negative ions. Negative ions are particles that temporarily contain an extra electron, causing the entire molecule to possess a negative electrical charge. Conversely, a positive ion is deficient by one electron and has an overall positive charge. Unfortunately, the high electric fields used to create the air ions can also generate ozone (an energetic allotrope of oxygen), and NOx. Both are toxic. Even in relatively low concentrations, they can irritate lung tissues, cause chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and can worsen the conditions of persons suffering from asthma.
Ionic air purifiers
Ionic air purifiers use an electrically charged plate to produce negative gas ions that particulate matter sticks to (in an effect similar to static electricity). Many ionisers are sold as air purifiers, but in this regard they are very inefficient. They will clean the air to a small degree, by charging dust and smoke particles which will then be attracted to a neutral or positively charged surface. Heavier combined particles may precipitate (fall) out of the air should two smaller particles of different charge clump together.
The use of negative ions continues to be a less accepted mainstream therapy in Eastern Europe and the Far East than in Western Europe or the United States, although problems with nosocomial infections (hospital acquired "super-bugs") have led the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK to do extensive research into the effect of negative ions on this area of hygiene. Recent SARS outbreaks have fueled the desire for personal ionisers in the far east, including Japan (where many products have been specialized to contain negative ion generators, including toothbrushes, refrigerators and washing machines). There are no specific standards for these devices.
Benefits of negative ions
Cedars-Sinai has a page last reviewed 03-15-2006 which discusses negatively ionized air as an alternative treatment for certain conditions. The Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks published an article September 26 1981 which discusses the beneficial role of negative ions and the positive ion fields created by CRT (cathode ray tube) computer monitors.
Read more at Wikipedia.org
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