Air Cleaner Ionizer

When we speak about air pollution, the first thing that strikes our mind is the smoky fumes emerging from the manufacturing industries, automobiles on the roads, and other plants that require burning of fossil fuels. Many times, we tend to forget that indoor air pollution also exists.

In simple terms, the air that we breathe in while staying indoors is not safe; in fact, it consists of particulate matter and gaseous contaminants. As per scientific studies, indoor air pollution is among the five leading environmental issues that affect human health.

Considering its various health effects, several devices are configured with the main purpose of removing the pollutants. Air cleaners (or purifiers) are available, which are used for the removal of particulate matter as well as gas pollutants.

They are either installed directly in the duct works or available as separate portable cleaners. An air cleaner ionizer is a new technology, which operates by imparting charge to the particulate matters.

The working mechanism of an ionic air cleaner is to alter the polarity of the particulate matter present inside the room. In a majority of the configurations, stainless steel built-in needles are used to generate electrons.

After turning on the power supply, the needlepoints create negative ions, which are circulated and attached to the particulate contaminants, thus converting them into charged particles. The resulting charged particles attract towards each other, or adhere to positively charged surfaces.

The overall outcome of this cleaner is the formation of large and heavy particles, which no longer remain floating in the air, but they tend to settle down or are attached to the nearby surfaces. Frequent dusting and cleaning is required to clean the particles that have settled on the surfaces.

It is often used with a home air filter system that helps in collecting the ionized particles. The mechanical filter should also be changed regularly, so as to prevent clogging.

One of the major advantages of an air cleaner ionizer is that it takes out even ultra fine particulate matter, which is as small as 0.01 micron. It sterilizes bacteria, viruses, smoke, and other toxic fumes. With such system, you have little to worry about the pathogens and secondhand smoke.

These cleaners are effective for removing airborne particles from across the room. Hence, most of the homeowners, who are concerned about indoor pollutants, prefer installing one in larger rooms, where a conventional mechanical filter is not sufficient to remove particles.

While talking about the drawbacks, it does not remove all the indoor air pollutants, chemicals, and odors. Another drawback is the energy coast, as it is operated by using high voltage electricity. It is also reported that it does not kill germs, fungi, and some of the viruses.

This is the reason why its usage is recommended, along with other indoor air cleaning systems such as ultraviolet lamps, ozone generator, and carbon filter. On a concluding note, these ionizers complement other filtering systems, helping to provide clean and healthy air.