Ion air purifiers - useful in a complementary air cleaning role

Ion air purifiers are a popular product, and can be purchased for as little as $20.
But how do ion air purifiers work, and are they any good? Let’s find out.

Ion air purifiers, also called negative ionizers, negative ion generators, or air ionizers, have been around for a long time – many were withdrawn from the market in the early 60’s, because the claimed health benefits could not be substantiated.

Because they are effective at removing small particulates from the air, for example those in cigarette smoke, and they freshen the air, they have made a comeback however.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA ) has a bit of a dim view of ion air purifiers. They state that they do not remove gases or odors, and may be relatively ineffective in removing large particles such as pollen and house dust allergens.

There are examples of studies that suggest otherwise however:

• Journal of Applied Microbiology – negative ions reduced airborne viruses by about 40%.
• Journal of Hygiene - bacterial levels in burns and plastic surgery units were reduced by over 96% after a two week period, using ionization.
• Good Housekeeping Magazine – a smoke test showed that an ionizer cleared out the smoke in a tank.
• US Department of Agriculture - ionizing a room reduced airborne bacteria by 95% and airborne dust by 52%.

It has also been claimed that negative ion purifiers are able to rectify ion imbalances for folks who lead a city lifestyle, and to act as a mood enhancer. Any evidence to that effect is only anecdotal however.

Ion air purifiers give oxygen molecules a negative charge by giving them– a negative ion. Negative ions attract positively charged airborne particulates such as smoke, dander, dust, and pollen. In the process the particles become larger until they become so heavy that they fall to the ground. These particles are dusted or vacuumed away subsequently.

Negative ions are generated by running high voltage electricity through metal needles, or as a by-product of either UV lamps or a corona ozone generator. The latter is definitely not recommended, as this method produces ozone levels that are far too high.

Ion air purifiers have several benefits, they

• are relatively quiet,
• do not consume much electricity, and
• no replacement filters are needed for a stand alone unit.

So are they useful? We think that by themselves ion air purifiers are not as effective as often is claimed.

However, ion air purifiers nicely complement other cleaning technologies in purifiers such as the Oreck XL Professional, Ionic Breeze, and Biozone air purifiers.

For more information on related products, please choose from the following:

Electrical / Ionic Air Purifiers | Ozone Air Purifiers | Whole House Purifiers