Indoor air quality affects human health. Lack of regular cleaning and ventilation contributes to the accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms and allergens, which cause frequent illnesses.
Ionizers are designed to improve the air quality in your apartment and house. These devices appeared on the market relatively recently, but today they are experiencing a surge in development and interest in them from buyers. What is an air ionizer? How does he work? Is it useful, or is it all an invention of marketers? And how to choose a device for home use? Read about it in the FAN .
Why do you need an air ionizer?
An ionizer is a device that saturates the air with positively and negatively charged particles of oxygen and nitrogen. In nature, this process occurs naturally. Its “initiators” are ultraviolet radiation and lightning discharges, under the influence of which molecules of air gases “split” and lose or gain electrons. Such incompletely “charged” molecules are called ions.
If you compare the air in an ordinary city apartment with that in the countryside, it turns out that the concentration of ions in it is 15-20 times lower. At the same time, at the beginning of the last century, scientists, including Soviet ones, put forward the theory that air saturated with negative ions is especially beneficial for health. Research in this direction was carried out by Soviet biophysicist Alexander Chizhevsky , who proposed artificially saturating indoor air with negative ions.
For this, he developed a device, later named the Chizhevsky lamp in his honor. Externally, the device actually resembled a lamp: an oblong sphere, enclosed in a metal casing, suspended from the ceiling and connected to the mains. Under the influence of the device, the concentration of air ions in the air increased - this is what Professor Chizhevsky proposed to call charged air particles.
According to Chizhevsky, air saturated with such particles has a therapeutic effect:
• reduces the tendency to catch colds; • reduces the severity of allergic reactions and chronic respiratory diseases; • promotes normalization of rest; • increases performance.
Elimination of aeroion deficiency in rooms, as Chizhevsky believed, is beneficial for the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and brain.
Fact. Soviet science did not fully recognize the research of Alexander Chizhevsky. His work has been repeatedly criticized, including for violation of experimental methods. Until now, the theory about the therapeutic effects of ionized air on the body has not been officially confirmed. But the ability of the ionizer to cleanse the air of pollutants has been proven.
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Conclusion
Do you already have an air ionizer at home?
Yes No, but it will be!
For normal functioning of the body, positively and negatively charged particles, called ions, must enter the human lungs. They ensure the full functioning of the respiratory system, prevent many diseases, and also kill most pathogens. In the natural environment, ions are formed after a thunderstorm, in mountains or coniferous forests. However, in the city the air almost does not contain them. This may have a negative impact on your health.
To saturate the air with ions, special devices are used - ionizers. They come in several types (passive and active, unipolar and bipolar), and also differ significantly in functionality and price. There are both expensive models on the market and budget options available to everyone. But you should not overuse ionization in an apartment - excess ozone produced during it can cause poisoning.
How does an air ionizer work?
Modern ionizers are hardly similar to the devices proposed almost a century ago by a Russian professor. However, the principle of their operation has not changed. They generate a current that splits air gases - oxygen and nitrogen. Thanks to their influence, the content of ions (negative or positive) in the air increases several times.
There are two types of devices on the market: • bipolar; • ordinary.
The former generate particles with both positive and negative charges. Conventional ones produce only negative particles, “adding” an extra electron to the oxygen and nitrogen molecules. Most devices intended for domestic use operate on this principle.
Fact. Every second the ionizer produces millions of charged particles. The more powerful the device, the faster it saturates the air in the room. Therefore, the operating time of high-power devices must be strictly limited, while low-power or intensity-controlled devices can operate longer, for example, throughout the night.
Features of air ionization using NANOE technology
This technology was developed specifically for Panasonic. Its essence is to clean and freshen the air using nanoions. These are microparticles-radicals surrounded by small water molecules measuring 5-20 nanometers. Thanks to the hydroshell, they are more effective than conventional ions: they can travel long distances, act for a long time, penetrate deep into hard-to-reach places, destroying pathogenic microorganisms.
How do nano particles work? After they are generated by the device, they dissipate in the air, enveloping viruses and allergens. Thus, nano-particles suppress the action of bacteria harmful to humans. Due to their microscopic size, they are able to penetrate even into fabric (which steam cannot), destroying dust, ingrained odors, and waste products of dust mites.
Note: nano particles are 1 billion times smaller in size than steam particles.
The principle of influence of nano-particles
Nano-e ionization is absolutely safe for humans, since its main active components are water molecules. Unlike air molecules, they do not react with nitrogen compounds, so nano-ionization can be used in rooms where people are present.
Nanoions accelerate the process of air humidification by 3 times, increasing its quality by 2 times
The benefits of an air ionizer
Molecules with an extra electron become charged and become invisible, microscopic “magnets.” They capture and attract microparticles of pollutants present in the air. Large particles of dust, suspended debris, allergens, even bacteria “stick” to them. The only thing they cannot cope with is viruses, as they are too small. Therefore, trying to clean a room from viral infection using an ionizer is a pointless undertaking.
But since, in general, the air quality in the house and apartment becomes better, the ionizer can be useful for people who suffer from allergic reactions and frequent diseases of the respiratory system. It is advisable to install it in a bedroom, children's room, or office. In winter, when proper ventilation is not possible, the device will help keep your living space clean and safe.
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Harm of air ionizers
It is important to understand that particles of contaminants do not disappear from the room. They only “stick” to the air ions, and then to the nearest surface. Therefore, after using the air ionizer in the room, it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning. Otherwise, all the dirt will remain in it: on the floor, walls, countertops and window sills.
It is also worth considering other features of the device.
• The device should not operate around the clock. This makes no sense, since it does not have a disinfecting effect. The operating time of the device must be limited. For a powerful effect, 15 minutes a day is enough, for example, before going to bed or starting a working day. After this, turn off the device and wipe the surfaces with a clean, damp cloth. • You should not be near the ionizer. The safe distance for a person is at least a meter. Manufacturers often recommend leaving the room while the device is operating. Therefore, the most appropriate technique for using it would be to leave the room, close the door and let the device purify the air. • There is a risk of static electricity building up. The less power a device has, the safer it is considered. In this case, the risk of excessive accumulation of negative charges in space tends to zero. However, you shouldn’t keep even a low-power device plugged in 24 hours a day. It has been proven that static electricity accumulates in rooms in which the ionizer operates for a long time. It does not cause any harm to humans, but it can have a negative effect on equipment. • Ozone odor is dangerous. Air saturated with ozone is considered healing, but this is a common misconception. In fact, this gas is extremely toxic, and since ozone is a “modified version” of oxygen, it can appear during the operation of the ionizer.
Advice. When choosing an ionizer, pay attention to its characteristics. The passport must indicate the volume of ozone produced by the device. A safe indicator is no more than 0.1 mg per cubic meter of air. If this parameter is not indicated in the device passport, refuse to purchase. If you notice a strong, characteristic smell of ozone during operation of the device, turn off the device and ventilate the room, and in the future reduce its operating time.
The use of an air ionizer does not eliminate the need for regular ventilation of the room. Only in combination with it and daily wet cleaning will the device help maintain a safe microclimate in the house and apartment.
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Air ionization as an additional option in cars and household appliances
If a person spends a lot of time in a car, his health often worsens, headaches, drowsiness occur, and concentration decreases. The reason for this is the pollution of city air, the accumulation and mixing of various odors in the cabin - that is, a decrease in the level of negative ions.
Ventilation through open windows does not give the desired result, since the outdoor air space is not always clean. In this case, an ionizer will be useful. It generates negatively charged ions, which not only improve the quality of the air inside the car, but also neutralize various allergens, dust, and harmful impurities.
Note: a car ionizer can be additionally equipped with a fan, filter, or aroma block, which increases the functionality of the device.
The ion generator is attached to the ceiling of the car or installed in the cigarette lighter
In household appliances, the ionization function is also necessary. This is how hair dryers for drying and styling hair dry out and electrify your hair. And the ionization function allows you to create a stream of negative ions that remove static, soften strands, make them smoother, shiny and manageable. They speed up the drying process while retaining moisture inside the rods.
Please note: ions do not restore or heal hair, they only reduce the damage that drying and styling with a hot hair dryer can cause.
Hair dryers can be either with internal or external ionizer
There is a lot of talk about the dangers of heaters and air conditioners for humans and the environment, because any portable heating unit dries out the air in the room and reduces its quality. An ionizer will prevent this. Built into the unit of the device for heating the room, it provides a comfortable microclimate for humans, has an antibacterial effect, eliminates unpleasant odors, and neutralizes harmful chemical compounds.
The ionizer is able to recreate the natural microclimate in an apartment
Rating of the best air ionizers for apartments and houses
When choosing a device, give preference to one that produces negatively charged particles in a volume of up to 50 thousand per cubic centimeter of air. This is the recommended standard for residential premises.
Please also note the following device specifications.
1. Area of processing of the room. The manufacturer indicates the recommended area that the device can clean. Choose a device that fits the area of the room where you plan to use it. 2. Filter system. The efficiency of air purification depends on its quality, so it is preferable that the filter system contains several elements, for example, an ESP filter and a photocatalysis filter. 3. Dimensions. Manufacturers offer models for floor and tabletop installation. The first ones are larger, designed for processing large areas. If you intend to use the device in one room, it is enough to choose a compact desktop device designed to clean a room of 10-25 sq.m. Floor-standing models can handle up to 110 “squares” of space.
Fact. Compact devices can operate both from the network and USB. And if you want the air in the room to become not only clean, but also filled with pleasant odors, give preference to an ionizer with an aromatization function.
BiOSE Ion-Effect
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The compact device can be placed on a table or mounted on a wall, making it an excellent solution for families with small children. A small device in a neat white case is equipped with a power button and an indicator light. The air passes through the grilles on the front and side surfaces of the ionizer and is saturated with negative particles with a volume of 50 thousand air ions per cm3. Its power is enough to treat a room up to 25 m2.
According to reviews, the device consumes almost no electricity, the smell of ozone is not felt during operation, so users are not afraid to leave it on all night. The front panel display is convenient in a child's room - no additional night light is needed. The device copes with its task: users note that the air becomes cleaner and fresher. However, some consider it too weak, and the area indicated by the manufacturer is overestimated.
The average price is 1300 rubles.
Boneco P50
Pr Scr Yandex.Market /
The device weighs only 300 grams and is so compact that it is convenient to use not only at home, but also to take it with you to work or turn it on in the car. It works from the network and a USB port, and can be plugged into the cigarette lighter inside the car. The device is designed for a small area - only 10 square meters, but it is quite enough to purify the air in a study, in a small bedroom or in a car. The gadget can not only saturate the air with charged particles, but also aromatize it: the aromatic capsule can be filled with oils with your favorite scents.
According to users, the device is convenient due to its compactness. The air in the immediate vicinity of it actually becomes pleasant and feels fresh. But the filter that comes with the device raises questions and seems ineffective.
The average price is 3990 rubles.
What to look for when purchasing
When purchasing an ionizer, you should pay attention to a number of important factors. Here are the main ones:
- Type of electrodes . The ionizer electrodes, which ensure the appearance of charged oxygen particles, are made of various metals. On sale you can find devices with electrodes made of titanium, tourmaline or silver. The last option is the most preferable. This is due to the fact that silver interacts very well with oxygen molecules, which makes the device work more efficiently.
Silver has one more advantage: during ionization, a small amount of metal molecules enters the air, and it is known to have a disinfecting effect and is capable of killing pathogens.
- Power . The power of ionizers is usually measured not in the usual Watts, but in the number of ions produced per unit area (usually one square centimeter) per hour. This greatly simplifies the choice of device. Under no circumstances buy a device whose power does not cover the area of the room where it will be installed. In this case, the operation of the device will be ineffective.
- Availability of filter . A nice addition to ionization in some models is air filtration. This is especially true for city apartments, since the entry of harmful substances and dust into them through windows is simply inevitable. However, you need to remember that models with a filter will cost slightly more than devices without this accessory.
- Installation distance . Due to the toxicity of ozone, ionizers must be installed at some distance from people. In small apartments this causes certain difficulties. Therefore, the smaller the maximum permissible distance from the installation site to a person, the better.
- Amount of ozone produced . The less ozone the device produces, the better. This may seem like a paradox. The reason is that an excess of this substance in a residential area can harm the people in it. The optimal performance indicator is the production of 0.1 milligrams of O3 per cubic meter of room per hour. It is better to refrain from purchasing devices with a high value of this indicator.
- Manufacturer . It is better to give preference to products from well-known manufacturers who have earned a good reputation. Of course, among cheap Chinese products there are often quite decent options. But it’s better not to deal with them. The fact is that the Chinese often indicate incorrect technical characteristics in the technical data sheet of the product. Ultimately, this can lead to ozone poisoning produced in excess of the maximum permissible amount or other adverse effects.
Yantar-5A
Pr Scr Yandex.Market /
The model differs from its analogues in design. It is enclosed in a wooden case and equipped with a decorative grille, behind which the electronic “stuffing” is not very well disguised. The device does not look very modern, but it will be a good alternative for users who want to get away from the abundance of plastic in the interior. It copes well with ionization functions: it cleans a room of up to 25 square meters, makes almost no noise, operates on mains power and is equipped with three modes. Selecting a mode allows you to set the number of particles produced by the device.
According to users, the device looks nice and is equipped with a remote control, making it convenient to use. The range of adjustments is wide, there is no smell of ozone during operation, you can breathe easier in its “presence” and sleep better. Among the disadvantages, they note the impossibility of switching the device to unipolar mode: the manufacturer only provided bipolar, which confuses some users.
The average price is 4800 rubles.
AIC XJ-2100
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This device is considered universal, since three useful functions are contained in a compact case. The device not only ionizes the air, but also treats it with ultraviolet light, thereby destroying viruses and bacteria, and complements disinfection with ozonation. The latter function requires the device to operate only at times when there are no people in the room. At the same time, processing an area of up to 25 sq.m. takes less time compared to other devices: the AIC XJ-2100 design includes a fan that accelerates air movement.
Users believe that the device copes with its tasks: it cleans and disinfects the air, refreshes it, and does it almost silently. There is no need to change the included filter; just remove it and rinse it under running water. The design of the device is modern, the cost is adequate. Disadvantages are discovered at the moment of breakdown: purchasing a replacement UV lamp after the “standard” one fails is not an easy task.
The average price is 4899 rubles.
