History and Development of Air Ionisers
– In 1918, Alexander Chizhevsky created the first air ioniser for ion therapy.
– The air ioniser was initially used for animal health in agriculture.
– Cecil Alfred Coppy Laws invented the domestic air ioniser, sparking further research and development.
– The history of air ionisers dates back to the early 20th century.
Ionic Air Purifiers
– Air ionisers are commonly used in air purifiers to remove particles from the air.
– Charged ions attract airborne particles through electrostatic attraction.
– Negative air ions produced by air conditioning systems inactivate viruses.
– Negative air ions are highly effective in removing particulate matter from the air.
California Regulation of Ozone Produced by Air Cleaners and Ionisers
– The California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulates indoor ozone emissions from air cleaners.
– All portable indoor air cleaning devices sold in California since 2010 must be CARB certified.
– Electronic in-duct air cleaning devices are also subject to regulation.
– Air cleaners must undergo testing for electrical safety and ozone emissions.
– The ozone emission concentration limit in California is 0.050 parts per million (50 ppb).
Ions versus Ozone
– Ionisers produce positively or negatively charged air ions using electrostatically charged plates.
– Ionisers tend to produce negative ions, believed to have health benefits.
– Ozone generators produce ozone by attracting an extra oxygen ion to an oxygen molecule.
– Ozone, within public health standards, has limited potential to remove indoor air contaminants.
Health Effects and Research on Air Ions
– Research on the effects of air ions on respiratory function is inconclusive.
– Negative air ionization may be associated with lower depression scores.
– No consistent influence on anxiety, mood, relaxation, sleep, and personal comfort measures has been observed.
– The impact of air ions on respiratory function and mental health requires further investigation.
– The role of air ions in human health remains uncertain and requires more comprehensive research. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_ioniser
An air ioniser (or negative ion generator or Chizhevsky's chandelier) is a device that uses high voltage to ionise (electrically charge) air molecules. Negative ions, or anions, are particles with one or more extra electrons, conferring a net negative charge to the particle. Cations are positive ions missing one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge. Some commercial air purifiers are designed to generate negative ions. Another type of air ioniser is the electrostatic discharge (ESD) ioniser (balanced ion generator) used to neutralise static charge.
