Ionic Air Purifiers - Quiet and Maintenance-Free

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It's no surprise that ionic air purifiers are some of the most popular air purification systems on the market today. Ionic air purifiers are desirable for several reasons: they are usually quiet, require little to no maintenance, and consume very little energy. In fact, ionic air purifiers often grace the pages of high-end specialty catalogs and are even regularly featured on late-night infomercials.

Essentially, ionic air purifiers utilize electrically-charged plates to produce negative gas ions that particulate matter sticks to. Particles such as dust and smoke will then be attracted to a neutral or positively charge surfaced such as an electrostatically-charged plate, and the air is thus cleaned. This process will also enable heavier combined particles to fall out of the air you breathe and onto the floor.

Some other benefits of ionic air purifiers include:

• The ability to remove particles as small as 0.01 microns

• Circulation of negative ions throughout the room, as opposed to just areas in the air purifier's vicinity

• The ability to neutralize contaminants such as tobacco smoke and odors

In addition, many supporters of ionic technology note the correlation between negative ions and increased oxygen intake. Research conducted since the 1950s have shown that exposure to negative ions result in increased energy, increased cognitive ability, and improved sleep.  As well, a recent study performed by Cedars-Sinai even found that negatively ionized air was extremely effective as an alternative treatment for certain conditions such as mood and seasonal affective disorders.

However, like any other air purification technologies, ionizers do have their own set of cons. Air purifiers utilizing ionization may not completely remove certain contaminants, but simply neutralize them. They may not collect as many airborne particles from the air as a HEPA filter, and are not effective at destroying biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It should also be noted that ionic air purifiers do release a small amount of ozone, and may not be the best choice for those with asthma, allergies, or sensitive lungs. While ionic technology can help clean the air, it is best used in conjunction with other air purification methods such as HEPA filtration, Activated Carbon, or UV sterilization.

See Ionic Air Purifiers

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