Posts Tagged ‘air purifier’

Discovering the best rated air purifiers will be a little difficult. There are hundreds of air purifiers out there and several of them do not do a good job at all. Client reviews can be undependable as a result of each person’s home is completely different and the criteria that create some the most effective rated air purifiers and some not are different for each person.

Now here are a number of the simplest rated air purifiers, every providing you with good air quality whereas providing totally different features. Depending on what you want in an air purifier you may need to settle on something completely different. Analysis these models a very little first and decide if they work the bill of what you are seek for in air filtration.

Once you study greatest rated air purifiers each one can claim a unique feature. If you would like an air purifier with the best clean air delivery rate subsequently you ought to look no additional than the Premium HEPA Air purifier. It will help to understandable a room of pollen, tobacco smoke, mould spores, pet dander and dust.

It can even clean the air during a room as massive as 698 square ft. That is a pretty spectacular accomplishment when you consider that almost all air purifiers will only clean half of that. The simplest part is that this model is very easy to operate, no want to pay hours pouring over direction guides to operate it.

If you wish something that can cleanse giant areas but at the identical time isn’t too bulky subsequently this can be the proper appliance for you. This version is somewhat smaller than alternative models from the identical brand however will a fairly sensible job of cleaning up particles within the air, earning a place on the most effective rated air purifiers list.

It’s conjointly simpler to take care of than other machines with two filters, rather than the same old three. This means fewer filters to exchange and clean. It is additionally possible to discard gaseous pollutants with this model. Helpful in any dwelling that options a fireplace.

If you wish a home air purifier with a sleek design subsequently this is often the model to get. Its easy fashionable design is perfect for a house that is embellished with simple chic. In spite of its appearance it’s although a very good air purifier to have. It does however only filter air in smaller rooms. It works finest in areas of regarding a hundred and ten sq. feet.

Criticism of the ionic air purifier industry is a surething. “No scientific peer review exists” has been a frequent criticism posted on flu, indoor air quality and pollution blogs.

Mr. John Moore, a researcher at Cornell University and firm believer of the peer review system, made some surprising revelations.

He says:

• “a lust for profit has led to too many journals,…all too easy to find…poor-quality work”

• “not everything in the peer-reviewed literature is correct. Indeed, some of it is downright bad science”

• “the peer review system…it’s the least-bad system that can be devised”.

The general public, warns Mr. Moore, must never mistake every scientific peer review as the “gold standard” as “even reviewed literature can be cherry-picked to support any argument.” It is enlightening that “professional scientists…know that scientific truth evolves on the basis of a mounting consensus, not through an isolated paper that adopts a maverick position, even if it has been peer-reviewed.”

These nuggets of wisdom from an “insider” like Mr. Moore is a boon to all industries, including the ionic air purifier industry, that have fallen short on the burden of proof.

Nothing short of the gold standard demands critics of the ionic air purifier. So do the authorities as well. How do we know that? We just wrote to them. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) responded thus:

“NIOSH is not aware of any peer-reviewed scientific studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of ion generators/ionic air purifiers against viruses. NIOSH does not have any studies planned to evaluate these devices nor do we have a policy on their use.”

But it was encouraging that the NIOSH has not pronounced final judgment as they also said:

“NIOSH provides support for investigator initiated research. Should someone want to conduct such studies they may apply for funding by mechanisms available and described under “Funding Opportunities” at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/. Proposals are funded annually based on availability of funds, relevance of the proposed work to the NIOSH mission, and the quality of the science proposed.”

At our Ezine article (accessible via The Ionic Air Purifier Blog Ezine widget), we have reproduced the NIOSH’s exacting parameters of a scientific peer review.

It is not a question of funding. It is not outright rejection by the governing bodies. Why then isn’t there any scientific peer review of the ionic air purifier after all these years? It would be great to hear from an insider of the ionic air purifier industry.

It is our view that with the advancements in ionic air purifier technologies, manufacturers should tap on the prestige of official funding. It may take just one high profile and successful scientific peer review to grab the headlines? Of course, the ideal should be Mr. Moore’s “mounting consensus” of peer reviews in authenticating the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of the ionic air purifier.

Ionic Air Purifier – What Can Users Do Until Scientific Reviews Abound?

For the time being, users hunting for the ideal ionic air purifier can look to our Ionic Air Purifier Review – 4 Key Factors Model.

Encouragingly, we now know that a scientific peer review that is acceptable by any authority must cover the 2 safety aspects in our 4 Key Factors Model.

For NIOSH said: “…a scientifically valid study would need to be designed to test whether ion generators are effective in killing viruses to the extent that a hazard no longer remains, and that such technology does not by itself generate new hazards of its own, e.g., ozone or oxidized by-products. The design of such a study would be challenging.”

Sign up at the Ionic Air Purifier Blog to follow our ongoing research.

If you think that air purifiers are just any other luxury device that your family can do without, read on. This is because homes and buildings today are designed to keep air inside to avoid heat gain during summer and heat loss during winter. An ideal option is therefore to ensure cleaner indoor air that is safe for everyone. Reduction of allergens and dirt in the air is best done by an air purifier.

It is difficult to control the outside environment, but cleaning your indoor air is within your control. Do you need an air purifier? You might be experiencing some allergies or other respiratory illnesses. You can make improvements by installing home air purifier. Again, if its really serious chemical sensitivities, you might need some very strong air filters called HEPA filter because they can filter even cigarette smokes. This means that you just don’t consider the price but also its suitability.

When you suffer from allergies or asthma, you may think it may be a good idea to purchase an air filtration system for your house. Another possibility is not to open your windows and to avoid staying a lot outdoors, during the period when your allergies are acute. Controlling the pollution and ventilation that can cause allergies is more important. Different home air purifier models cover different amounts of square footage so it is important to do the research and to find the model that will work best for you. There are arguments on whether filters can give relief from asthma in a house that is clean and well ventilated.

UV air purifiers utilize a type of technology that is most effectively used in combination with other types of air purification systems. UV air purifiers are also effective in dealing with mold, and the tiny toxins that mold spores release. Don’t worry though — UV air purifiers won’t harm your DNA or that of your children in any way. So for the best of both worlds, choose a system for your home that offers both – an air cleaning filter and a UV air purifier.

Ozone is an irritant and breathing it in can worsen asthma and cause coughing, wheezing and chest pains. For example, California warns, “People should avoid using indoor air cleaning devices that produce ozone.” There’s just too much evidence against it. However, ozone generator marketers say their machines are approved by the government.

User safety must be top priority in the selection of an ionic air purifier for use in the home, office, factory or school.

Existing ionic air purifier technology, regardless of whether they originate in North America, Europe, Japan or China produce a primary beneficial reactive agent. These reactive agents may be negative ions, bipolar ions, plasmacluster ions and so on. They are produced with the objective of eliminating contaminants in the air we breathe. There is much research on the efficacy of these reactive agents in eliminating these airborne contaminants. What we do not know is whether these same potent reactive agents also cause harm to delicate human tissues such as those that line our breathing passages from the trachea to the lungs.

Whether by design or otherwise, there is also an information void about whether there are other by-products and if these are harmful to fragile human tissues as well. In the industry, however, it is has been established that current ionic air purifier technology inadvertently results in the production of by-products that may, in sufficient concentrations, prove harmful to human tissue. Ozone is one of the potentially toxic by-products. In high concentrations, ozone has been proven to damage human tissues.

Accordingly, for the ionic air purifier user, the issue of safety has to be addressed from these two perspectives:

(1) Potential harm from the beneficial reactive agents, and

(2) Potential harm from the unintended by-products.

We have done intensive web research on these two important perspectives. The reports are featured on Ezinearticles.com.

Don’t miss these 2 in-depth Ezine articles. To read, click on the Ezine Author Badge on The Ionic Air Purifier Blog.

Subject to their terms and conditions, Ezinearticles.com allows publishers to freely reproduce these two articles. So help yourself, publish the two articles on your websites as a complete set, via these links:

(1) Beneficial reactive agents

(2) Unintended by-products

In addition, keep updated with our progress as we research other aspects of the very broad and constantly changing field of ionic air purifier technologies.

User safety must be top priority in the selection of an ionic air purifier for use in the home, office, factory or school.

Existing ionic air purifier technology, regardless of whether they originate in North America, Europe, Japan or China produce a primary beneficial reactive agent.Depending on the specific technology, these reactive agents may be called negative ions, bipolar ions, plasmacluster ions and so on. Their chief role is to eliminate contaminants in the air we breathe. There is much research on the efficacy of these reactive agents in eliminating contaminants. What we do not know is whether these same potent reactive agents also cause harm to fragile human tissues such as those that line our breathing passages from the trachea to the lungs.

Whether by design or otherwise, there is also an information void about whether there are other by-products and if these are harmful to fragile human tissues as well. In the industry, however, it is known that current ionic air purifier technology inadvertently results in the production of by-products. In sufficient quantities, these may prove harmful to human tissue. One of the main by-products is the infamous ozone, which in high concentrations has been tested to be harmful to human tissues.

Accordingly, for the ionic air purifier user, the issue of safety has to be addressed from these two perspectives:

(1) Potential harm from the beneficial reactive agents, and

(2) Potential harm from the unintended by-products.

Our intensive though by no means exhaustive research on these two perspectives have been condensed into two detailed write-ups that are featured on Ezinearticles.com.

Don’t miss these 2 in-depth Ezine articles. To read, click on the Ezine Author Badge on The Ionic Air Purifier Blog.

Ezinearticles.com, within their terms and conditions, allows publishers to freely reproduce these two articles. So help yourself, publish the two articles on your websites as a complete set, via these links:

(1) Beneficial reactive agents

(2) Unintended by-products

In addition, keep updated with our progress as we research other aspects of the very broad and constantly changing field of ionic air purifier technologies.

Introduction

Ionic air purifiers hold the promise of clean air, purified of all known harmful contaminants that threaten our health. Air is made impure by substances unseen by our naked eye. The weapons against such are very likely to be invisible to our eyes as well. Intuitively, the logic is appealing. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution as google throws up an avalanche of controversy within seconds. It is quite clear that the urge to rush out and buy an ionic air purifier must be suppressed at the moment. Safety, more than effectiveness, must be given higher weightage in the selection of an ionic air purifier.

The recent China melamine saga that killed infants also serves as a reminder to us that in buying into any technology or any product, all claims by manufacturers and distributors must be examined to the fullest extent that our resources permit. Where the reactive agent is invisible, it becomes even more critical to focus on it. My investigation of ionic air purifier technologies falls within this realm, as the reactive agents are ions that are invisible to our eyes.

This article is an overview of existing ionic air purifier technology in the marketplace. Trying to understand the science behind the technologies seems to be the logical place to begin searching for the ideal ionic air purifier. The creation of a powerful invisible defence shield against airborne molecular contaminants is increasingly taking centrestage. The prime threat being closely monitored by scientists all over the world is the avian flu virus.

Types of Ionic Air Purifier Technologies

Broadly speaking, air purification technologies can be deployed in either passive or active modes. Passive typically means that impure air is drawn into the air purifier for the reactive agents to work on before re-emerging as cleaned air into the environment. Conversely, in active mode, reactive agents are pumped into the impure air environment. Interestingly, marketeers betray their lack of confidence in their own ionic air purifier technologies by combining both passive and active modes.

In the global market today, ionic air purifier technologies include the following categories:

(A) Ion generator – positive and negative ions
(B) Ion generator – negative ions only
(C) Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
(D) Electrostatic filter
(E) Combos

Ion Generator – Positive and Negative Ions

This combination of positive and negative ions appears to show the most promise for the future of ionic air purifier technology. Pioneered by the Japanese corporate giant, Sharp Corporation, they are known as plasmacluster ions.

Sharp explains that the plasmacluster of positive and negative ions clump to harmful airborne bacteria and viruses. When this happens, hydroxyl is produced. Commonly known as nature’s detergent, hydroxyl is a powerful reactive species that destroys airborne particulates by removing hydrogen molecules from their organic structures. The by-products of this chemical reaction, mainly water, are harmless.

This technology uses a differential ion generator, comprising a positive and a negative ion generator which can be powered in alternate cycles to control the type of ions generated.

Advocates of the positive and negative ions combination claim that a balance of both these ion types is to be found in places like waterfalls and pristine forests, i.e. this is the actual state in nature. In contrast, proponents of negative ions technology insist that negative ions fill natural habitats and that the presence of positive ions is harmful. As I progress with my research, I shall be looking for independent scientific studies that support either of these two opposing views.

Ion Generator – Negative Ions

The traditional ionic air purifier produces only negative ions. Apparently, negative ions technology dominates the ionic air purifier market at the moment but Sharp’s plamascluster technology is increasingly proving to be a serious alternative.

It is claimed that nearly all harmful airborne particulates like dust, smoke and bacteria etc have a positive charge. The positive charges are continually attracted to the negative charges of the ions until sheer mass makes them sink to the ground. Vacuuming removes these neutralised impurities and therefore protects us from them. Detractors of negative ion technology believe that the “overweight” particulates on the ground are not destroyed and that the mere act of walking on them re-contaminates the air.

Apparently, there are a number of ways to produce negative ions. It is critical to know the various methods as each may have different by-products, some harmful and some which are not. These methods include:

(1) Water method – this employs what is known as the waterfall or Lenard Effect. Water droplets are splashed onto a metal plate where a small electric charge is applied. Large numbers of negative ions are produced as water droplets are split. It is claimed that no harmful by-products are produced by the water method.

(2) Electron radiation method – this is based on a single negative discharge electrode needle. The simple application of a high voltage pulse to the electrode results in millions of negatively-charged electrons being produced. This process does not generate any ozone. This is attributed to a “smaller” energy pulse being applied.

(3) Corona discharge method – this is based on a dual electrode model, a sharp metal electrode and a flat electrode. A very high voltage is applied between the two electrodes. This creates a massive movement of electrons between the electrodes and ionises the air in between them. An inherent weakness of this method is the production of harmful by-products like ozone and nitride oxide.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)

This technology is commonly applied in a passive mode. Hydroxyl, nature’s detergent, is the key reactive agent in POC technology.

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly shone on a catalyst (usually titanium oxide) to produce hydroxyl, oxygen and peroxide, all of which are potent oxidising agents that are very effective at destroying the organic structure of micro-organisms and gaseous volatile organic compounds.

Comprehensive defence is the key strength of POC technology. Proponents of this technology claim that POC inactivates ALL categories of indoor pollution, including:

(1) airborne particulates i.e. dust, pet dander, plant pollen, sea salts, tobacco smoke, industrial and car pollution, etc

(2) bioaerosols i.e. biological compounds that may be infectious or contagious (e.g. viruses and pathogenic bacteria) or non-infectious (e.g. non-pathogenic bacteria, molds, cell debris)

(3) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. gaseous chemicals or odours – benzene, toluene, chloroform, ethanol, formaldehyde, etc, all common emissions from everyday products of our modern home.

POC technology has been criticised for relying on hydroxyl which are believed to attack with equal tenacity the organic structures that make up molecular contaminants and our lung tissue, nose membranes and eye cornea.

Electrostatic Filter

This technology appears to have originated in heavy industries which produced abundant pollutants. The typical arrangement in an electrostatic filter ionic air purifier comprises a porous dielectric material sandwiched between two electrodes. The dielectric material impedes electrical conductivity whilst the electrodes efficiently conduct electricity.

Contaminated air is drawn into the electrostatic puriifer and made to pass over the dielectric material which acts like a sieve. The electrostatic field created between the electrodes causes airborne particulates i.e.dust, smoke contaminants, to stick to the surface of the dielectric. Purified air is pushed out of the purifier and re-circulated.

Quite often, an ion source is placed before the electrostatic filter to impart an electric charge to the airborne particulates. These impurities, so charged, stick more effectively to the dielectric material.

Criticism of electrostatic filter technology focuses on ozone as a by-product, commonly assumed to be produced in all ionisation processes.

Combo Ionic Air Purifiers

To cater to the various adherents and critics of the diverse technologies, combos incorporate all or some of the above types of technologies. Combos may include:

(1) adsorptive materials such as activated carbon or oxygenated charcoal (known for its extremely porous large surface area) are added to POC technology to enhance the removal of VOCs;

(2) oxidizing catalysts like titanium oxide are coated on various components of all types of air purifiers to enhance VOC elimination;

(3) reducing catalysts such as manganese dioxide are coated near the exit outlets of many air purifiers to reduce reactive species like ozone and nitric oxide which may be harmful;

(4) generating ions by differing methods such as using microwave, UV light, radio frequency waves, and direct current;

(5) tweaking the specifications of any ionic air purifier technology so as to attain the well-known HEPA status without actually using HEPA filters.

Obviously, the process of selecting the most efficient and effective ionic air purifier involves analysing a deluge of information. The safety issues of each technology will need much more investigation. I have also not studied in detail the claims of each technology. I urge you not to rush out to get the latest air purifier for your homes, offices, factories, schools etc. Do your homework and check back here for updates as I continue to find the ideal ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

If you suffer from allergies, HEPA air purifiers are the ultimate in clean air for your home. Originally, air purifiers were intended only to rid the home of foul odors. However, these days you can get a lot of additional advantages from using a HEPA air purifier, such as better air cleaning capabilities and lower levels of bacteria and viral contaminants in the atmosphere. They remove pollutants and allergens from the air and let you breathe more easily. Additionally, a HEPA air purifier is perfectly safe for the environment, including your home and your children.

The Beginnings of the HEPA Air Purifier

The HEPA air purifier traces its origins to the year 1940. It made its debut during the time of the Manhattan Project, when radioactive contaminants in the air were a serious concern. As time went by, air purifiers, which originally didn’t utilize a filter, were continuously improved to address the need for better quality of air in our modern society.

Nowadays, you can find air purifiers in a variety of institutions like medical centers and industrial plants. HEPA air purifiers are used by the pharmaceutical industry, in nuclear plants, the aerospace manufacturing sector, health care facilities, and even in computer chips.

This high functioning product boasts a 99.99% reliability rating, and has shown itself over time to be a very effective tool. Take a look at the testimonials found in just about any air purifier review, and you’ll see that HEPA air purifier reviews show that they are highly regarded just about everywhere.

How It Works?

There are three steps in the HEPA process: interception, impaction and diffusion. Because they are made up of randomly ordered fibers, they are very efficient with regard to their filtering capabilities. They trap airborne contaminants and all sorts of harmful particles that can lead to numerous illnesses and allergies.

The first step is the capture of a stream of air within one radius. The air is trapped by the filters and so the process begins. Impaction is next, meaning the larger molecules are trapped by the air cleaner’s fiber system. These molecules continue to get smaller as air passes through the fibers that are integral to the system. Lastly, the air collides with other gas particles in a process called diffusion.

A HEPA air purifier has many advantages, but the most valuable is the efficient way in which it clears the air around us of of allergens. Although all the harmful elements in the atmosphere cannot be completely wiped out, they can most certainly be minimized by using a HEPA air purifier system.

Japan is well-known for cutting edge innovations that often go unnoticed by the Western world. But Sharp Corporation’s press release on 27 August 2008 cannot be ignored! Incorporated in its ionic air purifier, the Plasmacluster Ion Technology (more on this in a later post) has just been scientifically proven to be 99.9% effective in destroying the bird flu virus known as H5N1.

Every now and then, the press reminds us that bird flu is the prime suspect to cause mankind’s next pandemic. Pandemic sounds terrifying. It is. That’s when a highly contagious virus goes global, in a very negative sense. The worst pandemic on record was the Spanish flu in 1918 which is believed to have killed 50 million people worldwide! World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on 5 October 2005 that the 1918 Spanish flu was caused by H1N1, a bird flu virus.

PANIC STATIONS! PANIC STATIONS?

Not quite, not yet anyway. Updated on 10 Sep 2008, WHO statistics shows the death toll at 245 from 1996 when the H5N1 virus was first identified in China. So what’s the fuss? A bird flu virus that attains human-to-human transmission capability is the ultimate horror of the scientific community. There has been only one probable case of human-to-human transmission recorded in Thailand in September 2004. But if the dreaded virus mutation takes place, you can expect pandemonium on a global scale.

Like other countries, Singapore (where I live) is conscientiously preparing for the worse (more on this in a later post). As protectors of our families and loved ones, we should start doing some homework too.

Ok, so what’s all this got to do with Sharp’s ionic air purifier. Isn’t it just another ionic air purifier? Yes, it’s ordinary in that it takes care of the usual stuff that we look for in an air purifier – dust, dirt, smoke, dander, pollen, cuisine and pet odours, pollutants, allergens etc. But if we can get protection from all these and more in one ionic air purifier, especially one that is a tested defense shield against a potentially deadly virus, why not? And that is precisely what Sharp is telling us; get the whole package with their Plasmacluster Ion Technology.

If you’re value-conscious like me, the obvious question would be “yes, that makes a whole lot of sense but at what cost”? Here again, Sharp claims that it’s at no extra cost! Sharp asserts that it is cheaper than any other ordinary ionic air purifier when measured over 5 years. A case of over-delivering by Sharp? How is it possible in this nothing-is-for-free world?

It is entirely possible, says Sharp. For example, there is much better value for money in its Plasmacluster Ionic Air Purifier Model FP-N40CX as there is no filter replacement costs for the first 5 years. At US$399, the Sharp model compares favourably against a typical competitor’s ionic air purifier that may cost US$160 upfront but over 5 years cost a total of US$560 due to annual filter replacement costs of US$100 each.

Any feedback on the competitor numbers would be greatly appreciated. Just email me if you have actual data.

My next step will be to learn as much as I can about the Sharp Plasmacluster Ion Technology. Especially since bird flu is still not quite at pandemic proportions.

It’ll be way too late when that hits. Believe me, I have seen it. I remember my family, along with thousands of other frantic people, scrambling around town looking for the much-touted N95 face mask when the last near-pandemic scare took place in Asia. In case you have not heard, the year was 2003. The SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus originated in Asia and infected 8,096 people around the world, resulting in 774 fatalities. As always, being prepared is half the battle won.

Watch this space as we track exciting developments in our pursuit of safe, pure and clean air with nothing more than an ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

Introduction

Ionic air purifiers hold the promise of clean air, purified of all known harmful contaminants that threaten our health. The harmful impurities in the air are not visible to our naked eye. Invisible weapons against invisible enemies seems the obvious answer. Intuitively, the logic appeals to me. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution as google throws up an avalanche of controversy within seconds. Obviously, I must resist the urge to go by intuition and grab the first ionic air purifier that I lay hands on. The search for an ionic air purifier must focus on its safety aspects as much, if not more, than its effectiveness against contaminants.

The recent China melamine saga that killed infants also is a timely reminder to us that in buying into any technology or any product, all claims by manufacturers and distributors must be examined to the fullest extent that our resources permit. Where the reactive agent is invisible, it becomes even more critical to focus on it. Investigating ionic air purifier technologies falls within this ambit as the reactive agents are invisible ions.

In this article, I am laying out the roadmap as I look into the existing ionic air purifier technologies in the global marketplace. My back-to-basics approach is an attempt, as a layperson, to understand the science behind the technology. A dominant current trend appears to be the creation of an invisible but potent defence shield against airborne molecular contaminants. The dominant global health threat under the scrutiny of scientists is the avian flu virus.

Types of Ionic Air Purifier Technologies

Broadly speaking, air purification technologies can be deployed in either passive or active modes. Under passive technology modes, reactive agents are contained in the air purifier whilst impure air is drawn in for cleansing before being pushed back to the environment. In active mode, the reactive agents are pushed into the environment with the impure air. Combinations of both passive and active modes are often found in many types of ionic air purifiers.

In the global market today, ionic air purifier technologies include the following categories:

(A) Ion generator – positive and negative ions
(B) Ion generator – negative ions only
(C) Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
(D) Electrostatic filter
(E) Combos

Ion Generator – Positive and Negative Ions

This combination of positive and negative ions appears to show the most promise for the future of ionic air purifier technology. Pioneered by the Japanese corporate giant, Sharp Corporation, they are known as plasmacluster ions.

Plasmaclusters of positive and negative ions encircle and latch onto harmful bacteria and viruses in a deadly grip. When this happens, hydroxyl is produced. Hydroxyl, also known as nature’s detergent, is a powerful reactive species that plucks out hydrogen molecules from the organic structure of these airborne particulates thereby destroying them. This chemical reaction generates harmless by-products, the main of which is water.

A differential ion generator is used in this technology, comprising a positive and a negative ion generator which can be powered in alternate cycles to control the type of ions generated.

Advocates of the positive and negative ions combination claim that a balance of both these ion types is to be found in places like waterfalls and pristine forests, i.e. this is the actual state in nature. Diametrically, believers of the negative ions technology take the view that negative ions dominate the space in natural habitats and that positive ions are actually harmful. In this regard, I have yet to find independent scientific studies as evidence for the contradictory claims of both camps.

Ion Generator – Negative Ions

The traditional ionic air purifier produces only negative ions. Apparently, negative ions technology dominates the ionic air purifier market at the moment but Sharp’s plamascluster technology is increasingly proving to be a serious alternative.

It is claimed that nearly all harmful airborne particulates like dust, smoke and bacteria etc have a positive charge. Negative ions from the air purifier attach themselves to these particulates until they get weighed down and fall to the ground. Thereafter, simple vacuuming removes these impurities. Detractors of negative ion technology believe that the “overweight” particulates on the ground are not destroyed and that the mere act of walking on them re-contaminates the air.

There appears to be several methods of producing negative ions. It is crucial to know the various methods as each may have different by-products, some of which are harmful. These methods include:

(1) Water method – this employs what is known as the waterfall or Lenard Effect. Water droplets are splashed onto a metal plate where a small electric charge is applied. The charge splits the water droplets resulting in the production of a large number of negative ions. No harmful by-products result from using the water method to produce ions.

(2) Electron radiation method – this is based on a single negative discharge electrode needle. Millions of negatively-charged electrons are produced when a high voltage pulse is applied to the electrode. An advantage of this method is that no ozone is produced. This is attributed to a “smaller” energy pulse being applied.

(3) Corona discharge method – this is based on a dual electrode model, a sharp metal electrode and a flat electrode. A very high voltage is applied between the two electrodes. The movement of electrons between the electrodes ionises the air in that same space. An inherent flaw of this method is the production of harmful by-products like ozone and nitride oxide.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)

This technology is commonly applied in a passive mode. It relies on the production of the powerful reactive agent, hydroxyl.

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly shone on a catalyst (usually titanium oxide) to produce hydroxyl, oxygen and peroxide, all of which are potent oxidising agents that are very effective at destroying the organic structure of micro-organisms and gaseous volatile organic compounds.

Complete and comprehensive action is the pillar of POC technology. Proponents of this technology claim that POC inactivates ALL categories of indoor pollution, including:

(1) airborne particulates i.e. dust, pet dander, plant pollen, sea salts, tobacco smoke, industrial and car pollution, etc

(2) bioaerosols i.e. infectious biological compounds (e.g. viruses and pathogenic bacteria) or non-infectious (e.g. non-pathogenic bacteria, molds, cell debris)

(3) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. gaseous chemicals or odours – benzene, styrene, toluene, chloroform, hexane, ethanol, formaldehyde and ethylene all common emissions from everyday products of our modern home.

Detractors of POC technology are wary of the inability of hydroxyl to distinguish between the organic structures of molecular contaminants and that of our nose membrane, lung tissue and eye cornea.

Electrostatic Filter

This technology appears to have originated in heavy industries which produced abundant pollutants. The typical arrangement in an electrostatic filter ionic air purifier comprises a porous dielectric material sandwiched between two electrodes. Dielectric materials do not conduct electricity while metallic electrodes are excellent conductors that transmit and receive electricity.

Impure air is drawn into the electrostatic purifier so that it passes over the dielectric material. The electrostatic field between the electrodes causes airborne particulates i.e.smoke contaminants, dust, etc, to adhere to the dielectric surface. Purified air is pushed out of the purifier and re-circulated.

Very often, an ion source is inserted before the electrostatic filter to charge the airborne particulates. Charging the impurities make them adhere more effectively to the dielectric material.

Critics of this technology point to the production of harmful ozone in the ionisation process.

Combo Ionic Air Purifiers

To cater to the various adherents and critics of the diverse technologies, combos incorporate all or some of the above types of technologies. Combos may include:

(1) adsorptive materials such as activated carbon or oxygenated charcoal (known for its extremely porous large surface area) are added to POC technology to enhance the removal of VOCs;

(2) oxidizing catalysts like titanium oxide are coated on various components of all types of air purifiers to enhance VOC elimination;

(3) reducing catalysts such as manganese dioxide are coated near the exit outlets of many air purifiers to reduce reactive species like ozone and nitric oxide which may be harmful;

(4) generating ions by differing methods such as using microwave, UV light, radio frequency waves, and direct current;

(5) tweaking the specifications of any ionic air purifier technology so as to attain the well-known HEPA status without actually using HEPA filters.

Obviously, the process of selecting the most efficient and effective ionic air purifier involves analysing a deluge of information. The safety issues of each technology will need much more investigation. I will also be studying in greater depth the claims of each technology. I urge you not to rush out to get the latest air purifier for your homes, offices, factories, schools etc. Do your homework and check back here for updates as I continue to find the ideal ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

On 27 August 2008, Sharp Corporation issued a press release that may someday be recognised as the true beginning of mankind’s war against bird flu! Incorporated in its ionic air purifier, the Plasmacluster Ion Technology (more on this in a later post) has just been scientifically proven to be 99.9% effective in destroying the bird flu virus known as H5N1.

Every now and then, the press reminds us that bird flu is the prime suspect to cause mankind’s next pandemic. Pandemic does not just sound terrifying. It is. That’s when a highly contagious and deadly virus goes global, in a very negative sense. 50 million people may die in a global pandemic. No way, you say. But its happened before, during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic! World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on 5 October 2005 that the 1918 Spanish flu was caused by H1N1, a bird flu virus.

If fear is gripping you right now, is it time to PANIC?

Not now. WHO statistics (updated up to 10 Sep 2008) tracing back to 1996 when the H5N1 virus first surfaced in China shows a relatively low death toll of 245. So what’s the fuss? A bird flu virus that attains human-to-human transmission capability is the ultimate horror of the scientific community. As I write, there has been only one probable case of human-to-human transmission recorded in Thailand in September 2004. But if the dreaded virus mutation takes place, you can expect pandemonium on a global scale.

Quietly but conscientiously, many countries are preparing for the worse (more on this in a later post). As protectors of our families and loved ones, we should start doing some homework too.

Ok, so what’s all this got to do with Sharp’s ionic air purifier. Is it not just another ordinary ionic air purifier? It is ordinary in that it performs the usual functions of the run-of-the-mill air purifier by getting rid of dust, dirt, smoke, dander, pollen, cuisine and pet odours, pollutants, allergens etc. But if we can get protection from all these and more in one ionic air purifier, especially one that is a tested defense shield against a potentially deadly virus, why not? And that is precisely what Sharp is telling us; get the whole package with their Plasmacluster Ion Technology.

The next obvious question for the value-conscious, would be “yes, that makes a whole lot of sense but at what cost”? Per Sharp, not a penny more! Sharp contends that over a 5-year period, it is cheaper than any other competing ionic air purifier. Value for money grabs my attention anytime! How is it possible in this nothing-is-for-free world?

Well, in promotional materials, using the Plasmacluster Ionic Air Purifier Model FP-N40CX as the basis, Sharp contends that it is much better value for money as there is no filter replacement costs for the first 5 years. At first sight, the typical competitor’s upfront cost of US$160 looks cheap compared to Sharp’s US$399. But add in the annual replacement filter replacement costs of US$100 and the total outlay for the competing ionic air purifier comes to US$560.

Since I have only started on this study, I would greatly appreciate any feedback on the numbers quoted by Sharp. Just email me if you have actual numbers.

My next step will be to learn as much as I can about the Sharp Plasmacluster Ion Technology. The time to research is now, while bird flu is still not quite at pandemic proportions.

Today is the day to get started. Experience is a good teacher. Imagine thousands of frantic people going from drugstore to drugstore looking for the same face mask. The N95 mask was touted as the only effective weapon as a near-pandemic scare gripped Asia. For those of you who did not hear of it, it was the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus that hit 8,096 people around the world and resulted in 774 fatalities. As always, being prepared is half the battle won.

Watch this space as we track exciting developments in our pursuit of safe, pure and clean air with nothing more than an ionic air purifier.

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