What is an air ionizer?
An air ionizer is a device intended for air purification for indoor use. Many air purifiers are air ionizers, but also come in the form of air filters and ozone generators. Air purifiers are greatly beneficially for those that are suffering from asthma, allegries, breathing difficulties, viruses, bacteria and for anyone that generally wants cleaner air in their indoor space.
How it works
An ionizer uses electrically charged ions to attach onto particles such as allergens, bacteria, dust and other pollutants in the air to prevent us from breathing it in. Air ionizers work differently than some air purifiers that use strong fans and filters, where they are typically quiet and do not use much power. It does use a softer fan to create a breeze to emit the negative ions into the atmosphere. There are some devices, however, that ionize with strong fans to combine air ionizing and filtering.
Typically, the ionizer will emit negative ions into the air that will attach to the positively charged floating pollutants. This is in the same manner as how ‘static charge’ is created. This in effect creates weight onto the impurity that is floating in the air, which in turn sinks it or makes it drop onto the ground or surface, so that it minimizes us breathing it in and bad odors or any process of rotting and/or molding.
The atmospheric manipulation is attempting to mimic the aftermath of a rainstorm, where ozone is emitted and the air is cleansed through the release of negative ions attaching onto the positively charged pollutants in the air. If the ionizer is working properly there is a ‘fresh’ smell, just as there is after a rainstorm.
Air Ionizer Controversy
There have been reports in the past that many air ionizers are not effective in doing what they claim. A consumer report study in 2003 deemed the popular air ionizer device called ‘The Ionic Breeze’ by the company Sharper Image and other devices as not peforming to high standards. Many argue that only the larger particles such as dust and smoke, which can easily be eliminated through simple cleaning methods, such as vacuuming, are the only pollutants that it is effective on. Since this report, the industry has made adjustments to make air ionizers that effectively do what they claim.
Brands of Air Ionizers and Air Purifiers
Just about every consumer electronics company makes some type of air purifier these days. The consistently highest rated one comes from IQ Air. The Oreck XL, as seen in the informercial is a popular model, as well. The most effective air purifiers are ones that combine a HEPA filter and ionization.
An air ionizer is a relatively new device that is intended to purify the air. As its name implies, instead of using fans and filters, an air ionizer creates ions which remove microscopic particles from the air. Rooms are healthier for those suffering from asthma, allergies, impaired immunity, or respiratory ailments, without as many allergens circulating in the lungs. Air ionizers rely on the chemical properties of particles. An ion is just a particle that is charged, either negatively or positively. This commercial device, a tabletop or stand alone unit, creates negative ions using electricity. The ions flood the room and seek out positively charged particles, such as dust, dander, bacteria, pollen, mold, smoke, chemical vapors, and many other allergens. Once bonded (remember, opposites attract), the particles are too heavy to float around where they can easily be inhaled. As a result, the harmful airborne particles become larger pieces of dirt on the ground where they can be cleaned
