Ionizers are a type of air filter designed to remove potentially harmful particles from indoor air. They come in various shapes and sizes and can clean the air in a room or in an entire house, depending on the particular model.
Functioning
Many particles that float around in the air, from dust mite debris to pet allergens, hold a miniscule positive electrical charge. Ions with a negative charge can bind to these particles and drag them down out of the air. While some negative ions are produced in nature, the idea behind an ionizer is to produce a large amount of these negative ions to clean the air in an office, house or apartment of positively charged debris. The ionizer creates these ions by charging the air using a high voltage electrical current.
Purpose
Ionizers are used to clean the air in a home or office. Some types of particulate matter in the air that ionizers aim to remove include pet dander, smoke, pollen, mold, dust and bacteria. Many people with allergies or chronic respiratory problems such as asthma purchase ionizers to try and make the quality of the indoor air better.
Effectiveness
According to the Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering, ionization units have been used successfully in a variety of settings including hospitals, poultry houses and dental clinics. In one study at a dental clinic, there were 32-52 percent less bacteria in the air after using an ionizer. However, according to Consumer Affairs, many models are not as effective as they claim and some produce more air pollution in the form of ozone than the amount of particulate matter they clean up.
Warnings
In a 2005 USA Today article, author Elizabeth Weise warned about a potential danger of ionizing air cleaners causing a buildup of dangerous levels of ozone. Some ionizers release over 100 parts per billion of ozone, a dangerous level higher than the 80 ppb recommended by the EPA as an upper limit. Not all ionizers emit so much ozone, however. Some ionizers tested by Consumer Reports released only 46 to 58 ppb of ozone.
Considerations
Individuals who want to purchase an ionizer should compare not only prices, but also ozone emissions, noise level, energy consumption and the amount of space a particular unit can filter, since these things can vary greatly between models. If living in an area with high humidity, especially humidity over 80 percent, ionizers may operate less effectively. Comparing reviews of specific ionizers done by an independent testing group or organization can help avoid picking an ionizer that doesn't really work as claimed.
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