What does an air ionizer do?

In search of clean and fresh air, which is the key to our health, we go to sea resorts, to the mountains and as far as possible out of town. But due to various circumstances, we cannot afford to relax by the sea every day, and even a trip to the nearby forest sometimes remains only in our dreams. Therefore, recently, more and more often in apartments and houses there is a miracle device - an air ionizer. What kind of invention is this, what does an air ionizer do, we will tell in the article.

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A bit of theory about air

Air is a mixture of gases, including two main components: oxygen - 20%, nitrogen - 78%, and everything else is carbon dioxide and other gases. The composition of the residual mixture may also vary depending on the location on our Earth. For example, the air of the sea coast is saturated with particles of sea water. And in composition, microscopic droplets of sea moisture are similar to the plasma of our blood, which is why it is so pleasant to fully inhale the air on the seashore.

From school, we know how beneficial forest air is, because trees are natural producers of oxygen. What is useful in the composition of the air of the sea coast and forest? This “something” is called air ions.

Air ions (air ions) are positively and negatively charged particles of gas. To feel good, a person must breathe air, which is saturated with light ions. It is the negative ions that determine the healing effect, since as a result of getting them on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, air ions, giving up their charge, contribute to the release of biologically active substances.

Important! It should be noted that no modern appliances can replace the benefits of wet cleaning.

Important! The concentration of light negative ions in the air, depending on natural factors and terrain, ranges from 600 to 50,000 ions per square centimeter. The highest concentration of negative air ions is observed in mountain resorts, on sea coasts, coniferous forests.

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Nature and technology - do I really need an air ionizer?

Nature itself is able to ionize the air, without human intervention. The more air is saturated with negative ions, the more useful it is. But unfortunately, urban conditions are unfavorable: transport, the operation of factories, the presence of a huge number of household appliances nullify all nature's concern for us. Therefore, it becomes quite clear why an air ionizer is needed.

Each person notices that after a working day in the office where the equipment is working around the clock, we feel tired and often complain of a headache - this is one of the very first signs of ion starvation. And this is not surprising, because in closed rooms the level of air ions is lower than we need, almost 15 times. Even if you sit in front of a TV or computer for a long time at home, just stay in a room where the equipment is turned on for a long time, you will also feel a lack of air.And vice versa - outside the city, in the forest and by the sea you breathe easily, and again, the point is in them - negatively charged ions.

Important! Most of all, children, the elderly and people with reduced immunity are exposed to ion starvation.

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What does an air ionizer do?

Based on the above facts, it becomes clear that in vivo, ionization of the air is simply necessary to maintain health. This function is performed indoors by modern miracle technology. That's what an air ionizer at home is for.

Specialists noted the beneficial effect of the device on a person, in particular, an ionizer:

• Normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system.
• Reduces fatigue.
• Normalizes sleep.
• Strengthens the protective functions of the body.
• It activates the brain.
• Improves appetite.
• Slows down the aging process.
• Reduces the likelihood of acute respiratory infections and other viral infections.
• It makes breathing easier.
• Eliminates the factors causing allergic reactions.
• It is a prophylactic and prevents the appearance of malignant tumors.
• Reduces electrostatic voltage from turned on TVs and monitors.
• Increases body tone and performance.

Important! Very popular, along with air ionizers, are such modern devices as humidifiers and air washers. Find out more about them in our review. “Home Air Purifier and Humidifier - Rating”.

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Who needs an air ionizer?

The ionizer cleans the air of harmful components: viruses, bacteria, allergens, dust and saturates the air in the room with a large number of negative air ions. Therefore, the device will be useful to the following categories of humanity:

1. To the children.
2. People suffering from diseases of the respiratory system.
3. Elderly people.
4. Weakened people suffering from chronic diseases.
5. Everyone during the period of the flu epidemic and the spread of acute respiratory infections.
6. Everyone working at a computer or watching TV for more than 2 hours a day.
7. People who spend most of their time indoors.

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Contraindications for using an ionizer

Despite everything that an air ionizer does, there are some contraindications for using the device for health reasons. Do not recommend using the device:

• If a person with a fever is in the room, as the acceleration of metabolism will lead to an even greater increase in body temperature.
• People with a malignant tumor, since air ions enhance metabolism and thereby improve the nutrition of absolutely all body tissues, including cancer cells.
• If the room is a person with diseases of the central nervous system.
• If the apartment has patients with severe pulmonary enphysema or with the acute phase of pneumonia.
• In a smoky and dusty room, as in this case, the electrified dust particles penetrate deep into the lungs.

Important! In rooms where it is too dusty and smoky, you can use the device, but only in the absence of people.

• In the room where there are children under the age of one year.
• If a person has bronchial asthma with frequent exacerbations.
• When indoors there is a person with rheumatoid arthritis in the acute phase, as well as with acute disturbance of cerebral circulation.
• With individual intolerance.

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How to use an ionizer?

In order for the device to work only benefit, it is not enough just to know why an air ionizer is needed. It is important to follow simple rules:

• During operation of the device, dust settles on the floor. Therefore, in the room where the appliance is turned on, it is necessary to wash the floor as often as possible and wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth.
• Do not use the ionizer around the clock or for many hours in a row.Therefore, before using the household appliance, carefully read the instructions. There you can read how long it is necessary to use the device and how to use it correctly.
• Observe the distance to the device in relation to people.

Important! Be prepared for the fact that for some time after turning on the ionizer, you may get sick, dizzy or drowsiness appears, but this is normal. The same condition occurs when after a long stay in the city, you suddenly break out into the countryside.

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Ionizer Harm

We figured out what the air ionizer does, why it is needed. Using such a device is good for health, no one argues about this. But as we know, there is no such thing that would not have flaws. Therefore, before you purchase a device, you should know about some of its harmful effects on our body:

1. Since the ionizer gives a charge to all microparticles in the air, dust and microflora become charged. Dust particles and microorganisms that have received a charge will be attracted to special electrodes in the device and other surfaces in the room. As a result of this, dirty circles may form around the device. Therefore, after ionization, a thorough wet cleaning is necessary in the apartment, since it is very harmful to be and breathe the accumulated dust.
2. If there are people in the process of ionization in the room, then particles of dirt from the air will settle on them, and therefore fall into the respiratory tract.
3. Infections in ionized air spread much faster. If there are viruses in the room or there is a person with a disease that is transmitted by airborne droplets, then the likelihood of infection of healthy people in an ionized room increases significantly.
4. A powerful ionizer placed in a small room will affect the negative concentration of ozone molecules.
5. The electromagnetic field from the device also affects the state of the human body if the minimum permissible distance to the device is violated.

Important! If during the use of the device you begin to feel not very well, turn off the ionizer and consult your doctor about further use.

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How to choose an ionizer?

If you have considered the pros and cons, carefully considered and decided that you need an air ionizer, when choosing, pay attention to the following characteristics.

Area

The main parameter of your choice should be the area serviced, as there are models designed for ionization of three meters, and there are cleaning systems for 150 meters.

Remember that the power of the device depends on the serviced area, and, accordingly, the price.

Moisturizing

On sale are ionizers with and without humidification. It must be remembered that during the winter period when the heating systems work, the atmosphere in the apartment often dries up, but a humidifier can easily fix this. In addition, in the presence of such a function, dust in the moist air is much less delayed.

Important! If you have a device for humidification, follow the link and find out information about where is it better to put a humidifier in the room.

Types of filters

Different filters perform different tasks. Some of them save us from dust, others destroy harmful impurities, and others fight odors. Different models of devices include whole sets of filters for every taste.

Hydrostat

The device may have a smart humidity sensor in the house, and as soon as the humidity drops to a critical point, humidification will turn on. You will not even need to follow this process.

Remote Control

Remote control will help you change the operating modes of the device. For example, if necessary, urgently switch the ionizer to the mode of purification of air from odors after smoking guests.

Timer

If you want the device to freshen and moisturize the air to your return from work, then choose a model with a timer.

ultraviolet lamp

If you choose a model with an ultraviolet lamp, then get rid of any bacteria in the house.

Smart features

Many manufacturers equip the device with various smart functions and additional features, which will not only ease your life, but also make it even more comfortable.

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Types of ionizers for the home, their main functions

Home ionizers are classified into several categories. Here the answers to the question of what does and why an air ionizer is needed will differ radically. Therefore, carefully watch what exactly you are buying.

By appointment:

• Purifiers - ionizes the air and purifies it from dust, smoke and bacteria.
• Cleaners and humidifiers - devices not only purify the air, but also maintain an optimal level of humidity. For rooms with dry air - this is the most ideal option.
• Climatic complex - the device includes three functions: cleansing, moisturizing and ionization.
• Salt lamps are light devices, which are lamps (15 W) from rock salt, which produce negative ions during heating.

By the polarity of the generated ions:

• Unipolar. More affordable ionizer options.
• Bipolar - generate not only negative ions, but also ions with a positive charge. The device has a higher price.

Important! Many experts recommend installing bipolar ionizers in rooms with a minimal amount of household appliances, and unipolar ones in rooms where neutralization of excess positive ions is necessary. This is necessary because the abundance of household appliances becomes the reason for the production of a large number of ions with a positive charge.

At the place of application:

• For the office. If you use the device in a "densely populated" office, then for the effectiveness of its work, it should be designed for a large room.
• For home. The living area must correspond to the parameters declared in the characteristics of the device.
• For auto. Since the purpose of the device is the purification of air from exhaust, carbon monoxide, the effectiveness of the device will depend on the filter.

Important! For each place of application, its own power supply for the ionizer must also correspond.

By filter type:

• Coal (adsorption, deodorizing) - designed to remove various gas impurities and odors. The main component of this filter is activated carbon.
• Mechanical - an ordinary fine mesh designed for preliminary air purification. The mechanical filter removes large particles of dust, as well as animal hair.
• HEPA filter - retains even the smallest particles. The filter is made of a special porous material based on fiberglass. Standard HEPA filters can trap up to 90% of all contaminants, and TRUE HEPA filters purify air by 98-99%.
• Electrostatic. Air purification in devices with an electrostatic filter takes place according to a new, exclusive photocatalysis technology patented by the Japanese company DAIKIN. In the process of photocatalysis, all harmful impurities do not accumulate, but decompose under the influence of ultraviolet radiation to completely harmless components. In the process of photocatalysis, the air is cleaned of all harmful impurities, including gases and viruses. At the same time, the cleaning efficiency is 500 times higher than in carbon filters.

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Useful Tips:

1. The safest version of the ionizer is a lamp made of natural salt, which provides natural ionization of the air and is suitable even for small children.
2. When using the device, be sure to maintain a safe distance for people (at least a meter).
3. Do not install the device with the function of bactericidal exposure in a “densely populated” office or rarely ventilated area.Otherwise, people suffering from allergies and asthma will be seriously harmed.
4. If you smell a specific strong smell of ozone near the device, this means that its concentration is close to the maximum value, and exceeding this level of ozone can lead to poisoning by toxic compounds. Remember that ozone is only useful in small amounts.
5. Do not leave the device turned on for a long time, especially at night.
6. When buying an ionizer, be sure to check the quality certificate, as well as the availability of testing information. Make sure that the characteristics of the device match the conditions of your room.

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We hope that in our article we answered the question that interests you, why an ionizer is needed and what device your home needs, and it is undeniable that it is of great benefit. Health to you and clean air around!