What is an ionizer: the benefits and harms of the device for people

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Every year, the condition of the air we breathe inevitably worsens. This is due to the increase in the number of enterprises and cars that pollute the atmosphere. To reduce the negative impact on humans, special devices were developed, the use of which remains a controversial issue to this day. Let's consider whether it is worth purchasing an air ionizer: the harm or benefit of its use, and whether there are indications or contraindications for use.

An air ionizer will help boost immunity and improve the general condition of the body if used correctly

What is air ionization

Before you understand the device itself, you should understand what this phenomenon is and how it happens.
Ionization is the physical process of removing an electron from molecules or atoms of gases, as a result of which one neutral molecule is formed into two with different charges: a negative one, which received a “bonus” electron, and a positive one, which lost it. In nature, air ionization occurs naturally; it is most acutely felt in coniferous forests, mountains and the sea. This process is initiated by lightning discharges, cosmic and ultraviolet radiation, the high rate of water fragmentation at the foot of the waterfalls and a number of other factors. In an apartment, a similar effect can be achieved using an ionizer or other equipment with this function. If in nature the presence of ionized molecules (A.L. Chizhevsky gave them the name air ions) has a beneficial effect on humans due to clean ambient air, what happens in confined spaces and urban environments? According to Rospotrebnadzor, the unpolluted atmosphere contains about 1000 light air ions per cubic centimeter. In some resort areas, the concentration can reach 4000, and in cities with poor ecology (due to emissions from enterprises, exhaust gases, etc.), the content, on the contrary, drops several times.

Risks of Exposure to Negative Ions

Ionizers create negative ions by discharging electrical currents into the air (similar to the effect of a corona discharge during a thunderstorm).

Ozone particles

Ionizers can release ground-level (tropospheric) ozone into the air. Some researchers argue that it may worsen symptoms of conditions such as asthma (although a 2013 review of studies found no reliable, significant evidence of an effect—positive or negative—on asthma or lung function).

Static electricity buildup

The additional electrical charges released into the air by the ionizer can also lead to dangerous levels of electrical charge in your home.

Respiratory irritation

Negatively charged particles also stick to surfaces after being knocked out of the air by electrical charges. This may include your airways (windpipe and the inside of your lungs). This can cause particles to accumulate in the respiratory system. Which may worsen asthma symptoms or increase the risk of lung disease.

How it works

So, knowing what air ionization is and how it happens, let's understand how it affects our health. When describing the positive characteristics of air ions, they usually say that they can be light and heavy (in fact, their classification is broader, but in our case, these two types are sufficient to understand the principle). Light ions in apartments do not “live” for long, quickly turning into heavy ones when combined with larger particles - moisture, dust, bacteria. Due to the decrease in speed and greater mass, they quickly settle, therefore, after ionization of the air, it is necessary to wash floors, walls, vacuum carpets, furniture and other surfaces, otherwise we will continue to inhale harmful substances.

According to Rospotrebnadzor, the more polluted the environment, the more heavy air ions it contains: from 1,000 per 1 cm³ of clean air to 65,000 in an industrial city (the concentration of light particles, on the contrary, drops from 700–800 to 200 per 1 cm³).

We think you already understand that it is better to have more light ionized molecules. But to achieve the desired effect, they must be not just light, but negatively charged. Then, after entering the body through the skin or respiratory system, they will be able to connect with red blood cells (red blood cells that bring oxygen to cells and take carbon dioxide from them) and activate their work. Having acquired a negative charge, red blood cells begin to move not chaotically, but in an orderly manner, delivering more nutrition to the cells and increasing gas exchange by at least 10%.

Benefits of Negative Ions

Research supports some of the effects of negative ions on mental health:

• reducing symptoms of depression in some people
• has an activating effect on some body systems and cognitive abilities
• increased antimicrobial activity

A 2013 review of the scientific literature on negative ionization published between 1957 and 2012 found that ionization has no effect on people's general mental health, but does show a noticeable effect on people suffering from depression.

• Long-term exposure to negative ions may reduce symptoms of depression. High levels of exposure (such as several hours or more) to negative ions led people with chronic depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) to score lower in studies of their depressive symptoms.
• A shorter duration of exposure to negative ions may have a positive effect on seasonal depression. Lower levels of exposure (just 30 minutes or so) were only sufficient to help people with SAD.

A small 2015 study found no significant effects of negative ions on mood or mental health. But this study showed little improvement in cognitive function after short-term exposure to increased amounts of negative ions.

A 2022 review of the literature on ionization also found the effects of negative ionization on many aspects of human health. Researchers examined 100 years of research and found evidence that negative ions can:

• help regulate sleep patterns and mood
• reduce stress
• enhance immune system function
• increased metabolism of carbohydrates and fats
• kill or suppress the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses and various types of mold, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and the bacteria that cause tuberculosis

The same study examined how negative ions affect indoor air pollution. Many negative ion generators, or “ionizers,” can help reduce polluting particles that are found up to 2 meters (5 feet) above the ground by as much as 97 percent.

But keep in mind that this effect is mostly studied in a controlled environment, in which there are no major sources of new pollutants constantly released into the air.

Benefits and harms

Before continuing to talk about ionized air, let us immediately say that at the moment there is no clear scientific evidence of its positive or negative effect on the body. There are many disparate experiments that, depending on the conditions and method used, gave different results. For example, scientists from Beijing in 2022 confirmed the fact of the positive effect of air ions on the respiratory system of schoolchildren. The latest study by specialists from several American universities, presented in 2022, showed the risk of increasing the concentration of ethanol, toluene, and acetone.

The concentration of air ions in natural conditions depends on the average daily temperature, relative humidity, and abundance of precipitation. The higher the temperature or more rain and thunderstorms, the higher the number of charged molecules. When there is a lack of moisture, light particles turn into heavy ones due to more dust, and when the level of relative humidity is exceeded, their mobility decreases due to connection with water molecules.

Now let's figure out why you need an air ionizer for an apartment and how to use it correctly. Once again, we warn you that the following data is not supported by peer-reviewed research, so decide for yourself whether to trust it or not.

Beneficial features

It is believed that the main benefit of anions (negatively charged molecules) is to enhance the activity of red blood cells. There are other positive aspects that are closely related to this.

• Sleep becomes deeper and better quality. The body has time to rest and recover during the night, so during the day we feel cheerfulness, freshness, activity, good mood, efficiency and concentration increase. A restful, healthy sleep not only improves well-being, it can alleviate the condition of neuroses, depression and other psychological diseases.
• Speeds up metabolism. Accelerated metabolism has a positive effect on weight loss and improves appearance. This process can also help alleviate burns and certain diseases, including bronchitis, pharyngitis, and pneumonia.
• Strengthens health. Saturating tissues and organs with oxygen helps strengthen the immune system.

Typically, the benefits also include clearing the room of pollutants present in it. This is not entirely correct. Negative ions do collect some of the harmful substances, but no cleaning is carried out (if they are not removed, they will remain on surfaces and then rise again into the air). Although the ability to quickly remove allergens, germs and other harmful particles from the room does reduce the likelihood of illness (with timely wet treatment of surfaces). By the way, you shouldn’t hope for a quick effect from air ions; the body needs time to rebuild.

Negative influence

When choosing an air ionizer for office or home use, consider the presence of contraindications.

• The risk of contracting viral diseases increases. In an environment saturated with charged air ions, airborne viruses spread faster. That is why it is not recommended to use the device constantly in the office, especially in conditions of active spread of coronavirus infection or seasonal diseases.
• The condition of patients with certain diseases worsens. Due to the acceleration of metabolism in patients with a high temperature, it can rise even higher; in addition, sluggish or chronic diseases can remind of themselves; in case of blood supply disorders, ionization can cause hemorrhage in the brain. It is generally prohibited to use it in the treatment of oncology, this is due to the fact that cancer cells can begin to multiply faster. Problems may also arise in patients with diagnosed bronchial asthma.
• Individual intolerance appears. With an increased concentration of air ions, headache, drowsiness and other unpleasant symptoms may appear.
• Increased risk of asthma or allergy attacks. Charged ions are more actively attracted to mucous membranes. If air ions are heavy, then allergens and other pollutants enter the body with them, so it is usually not recommended for people to be in the room while the device is operating.

To eliminate the negative effect due to the deposition of heavy air ions on surfaces, you can additionally install a high-quality cleaner-disinfectant that will inactivate (destroy) viruses and infections, and also effectively protect you from dust, unpleasant odors, animal hair, small particles and other contaminants.

Families with small children and people who have recently undergone surgery should also not use an air ionizer for an apartment.

Research Proving the Effectiveness of Negative Ions

In recent poultry house studies, the USDA found the following:

• Reduces the transmission of salmonella
  (bacteria) between chickens by
  98%
  .
• Reduce airborne salmonella (bacteria) by 95%.
• Reduces airborne dust and particles by 99% in 60 seconds.

A study conducted by Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc. found that negative ions can reduce fatigue

and improve
mental abilities
.

A scientific journal of hygiene reports that negative ions cause dust particles from the air

. For the same reason, ionization can improve the efficiency of filters.

Scientists have shown that ionization reduces bacteria

in burns and plastic surgery departments by more than 96% after a two-week period, resulting in much better and faster healing for patients.

In March 1999, Good Housekeeping Magazine had its engineers test the ionizer using a smoke test and found that it cleared smoke

.

Columbia University researchers found that people with winter and chronic depression

show that negative ion generators relieve depression as much as antidepressants. It was also determined that there were relatively no side effects.

Statistically significant reduction in carbon monoxide (CO, carbon monoxide)

was detected when the ionizer was activated.
This was discovered by researchers at Brompton Hospital in London and published in the European Respiratory Journal
.

Scientists have found that using negative ions reduces the presence of viruses

in the air by about
40%.
A study published in a 1987 issue also found that negative ions did not have any side effects (Journal of Applied Microbiology).

Researchers at St James's University Hospital found that hospital-acquired infections

among patients in the intensive care unit fell sharply with the introduction of ionizers - and have remained so since then. Ionizers have been found to be successful in removing bacteria from the air, reducing the transmission of infection.

A 1976 study presented in this publication provided evidence that negative ions can have a biologically lethal effect on airborne microorganisms.

A 1979 study found that negative air ionization protected chickens from infection with the deadly Newcastle disease virus.

.

A 2001 study found that airborne negative ionization is highly effective in killing airborne and surface-borne salmonella.

“Negative air ions stimulate mitochondria

» — Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow region, Russia.

Types of devices

A large selection allows you to choose climate control equipment that performs only ionization or combines various functions to improve the microclimate, for example, an air purifier-ionizer for the home with aromatization. Based on the principle of operation, they are distinguished:

• unipolar. Produces only anions, but may produce more ozone because of this;
• bipolar. Both types of air ions are produced, but not simultaneously, but sequentially. They emit less ozone than unipolar ones, and the risk of an electrostatic field is also reduced. On the other hand, it was the experiment with bipolar ionizers that showed a high risk of the formation of harmful volatile compounds.

Air ionizers produce ozone. It is a natural oxidizing agent, therefore it is used in small quantities in disinfection installations, including ozonizers, but if the permissible concentration is exceeded, it negatively affects human health and causes various malfunctions of computers, televisions and other equipment.

Chizhevsky lamp

The electroeffluvial device is also called the Chizhevsky chandelier, since the design resembles it in shape and is located under the ceiling. It used to be popular in everyday life and medicine, but is now not recommended for household use. Ionization is carried out by electric current and allows you to control the voltage and number of ions (the lamp is unipolar).

Ionizer

Can be floor-mounted, wall-mounted or tabletop. Before purchasing, look at the number of air ions produced (must be at least 450 per cm3), and in bipolar ones, look at the ability to control the ratio of positive and negative molecules. Also, an effective air ionizer for the home should have a built-in fan - this is necessary because charged particles move less easily in a room than in nature, so they remain close to the body and do not scatter throughout the room. In addition to devices that ionize air masses in apartments and public buildings, manufacturers of such products also offer the purchase of special compact devices for the interior of a car or water.

Until 2022, SanPiN 2.2.4.1294-03 was in force, regulating the amount of charged ions in industrial and public facilities; according to them, there had to be at least 600 anions per cm³ in the room.

Ionic cleaner

Before purchasing such equipment, make sure that the ionization process can be started separately, since the purifier must work around the clock without interruption. Do not choose cheap models with a poor filter system - everything that such a device does not hold on the filter elements will get charged and spread more actively throughout the apartment or office. It is advisable that the purifier model have HEPA filters and a disinfection function.

Humidifier with air ionization

If chosen incorrectly, the device can create an ideal environment for the development and reproduction of harmful microorganisms (for example, with excessive humidification due to the lack of automatic humidity control in an ultrasonic or steam humidifier). If cleaning is not done regularly, the ionizer will cause even more damage by spreading pollutants throughout the entire room. It is better to install a humidifier with an air ionizer immediately with disinfection devices.

Basic operating rules

Like any device, the ionizer requires special handling. Regardless of whether it has one function or several, these rules must be followed:

1. While the device is working, you cannot be in the room.
2. The device should be located in the room where the person spends the most time.
3. Do not turn on the device engine for a period longer than specified in the instructions.
4. Do not install the device near a TV or computer monitor; the distance must be at least 1 meter.
5. Do not smoke near the device or in a room where the air is ionized, as this can lead to lung diseases.
6. The device should operate with the windows closed, but the room should be ventilated regularly. The ionizer does not produce oxygen, but only changes the charge of its atoms.

People who use an air ionizer note a general improvement in their condition, decreased anxiety, and improved sleep quality, which is a decisive reason in favor of these devices. And feeling great is the key to longevity.

5/5 — (1 vote)

A little about security

We recommend:

• do not stay in the room for at least the first 15 minutes of production of air ions;
• When choosing a device, make sure it has a certificate confirming its safe use. If more than 50,000 ions/cm3 are produced, check for not only a hygienic, but also a medical certificate, since such a powerful device is classified as professional;
• pay attention to the instructions. Read how the air ionizer works - many models indicate that the humidity level should be 45–75%; the maximum permissible ionization time is also regulated depending on the power and operating features of the device, the required distance from the source to people and plants, etc. ;
• stop smoking, otherwise harmful smoke with dangerous impurities will have a direct path to the lungs.

We hope that after reading the article, you were able to form your own opinion and understand whether you need an ionizer and what to pay attention to during operation. We recommend that you first consult with your doctor and approach the purchase with caution if one of your family members has illnesses, or if you live with infants or elderly relatives.

We wish you clean fresh air and excellent health!

Recommendations

You should purchase an ionizer if one of these problems exists:

• anxiety, nervous disorders;
• insomnia;
• acne, blackheads, pimples;
• metabolic disorders;
• tendency to seasonal allergies;
• frequent bronchitis and tracheitis.

  Insomnia

Important! The device is not able to cure. But it will help alleviate the course of the disease and improve well-being, which is why an ionizer is needed.

Customer Reviews

I work in the office all day on the computer, and I often sit at home on weekends. I know it’s harmful, but somehow I didn’t think about it. Then I came across an article about the dangers of modern gadgets, and I decided to talk to my son about this topic. I hardly convinced my son of anything, but I myself decided to correct my situation: the next day I went to select a suitable air ionizer for my computer desk.

There are a lot of different devices, it’s just dizzying. Of all the models offered to me, I liked L onex, made in Slovenia, the most. Small in size, universal in design, no special setup required. I’ve been using it for more than a month now, and I’ve seen results: my eyes have stopped getting tired and red, and there’s an invisibly fresh aroma in the air. I advise everyone to think about their health.

Zinaida, 31 years old.

I became closely acquainted with ionizers at one of the exhibitions of household appliances while on a business trip. I noticed an interesting model Vitek VT-1772 and decided to make my wife happy. I read information about the benefits of ionized air, got acquainted with the design, and the next day I went to buy it. I tried it at the hotel. Nothing like this, and the design matches our living room. I came home and boasted about my purchase. I liked the lighting, there was even built-in music. When the device is plugged in, the balls glow in different colors, constantly changing in shades.

Andrey, 28 years old.

Many have been to the sea or in the mountains and experienced the effects of fresh air. One day, after returning from another trip to nature, we decided to buy an air ionizer. We have had a car air ionizer for a long time. Externally, these devices are different: in the form of candles, a flower bouquet, or an ancient castle. We selected the SAU-B Teremok for our living room interior.

Its body is ceramic, safe for health. Over the past 4 years we have experienced its usefulness. Our sleep has improved and we complain less about headaches. Maintenance of the device is minimal; the backlight lamp has never been changed. The instructions inform about the ten-year period of its operation. The cost is only 2,000 rubles. I recommend it to friends

How to choose and buy an air ionizer: review of manufacturers and models

As a rule, household air ionizers are assigned two tasks at once: saturation of the air with air ions and humidification. Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to buy an ionizer and humidifier for your home very cheaply, however, you should choose this device based on its quality characteristics, without the goal of saving money, because it’s not just about your comfort, but also about your health.

Air-O-Swiss 2055D: a modern device for air purification, humidification and ionization

The Air-O-Swiss 2055D air ionizer is a modern device that can serve an area of ​​up to 50 m². The model is equipped with disk filters that are capable of retaining large dust particles, various organic elements in the air and even some odors. Additional features of this device include air humidification and aromatherapy.

The Air-O-Swiss 2055D ionizer model has an additional function of air humidification and aromatization

Moreover, the developers also took care of the purity of the water that is used to humidify the air, providing a special rod that disinfects the water using silver ions.

Among the technical characteristics of the device, it is worth noting a fairly low noise level - only 25 dB, as well as power consumption - 20 W. In this case, the water consumption for air humidification is 300 ml/hour.

Of course, the cost of such an ionizer is not too low (about 17 thousand rubles), however, according to many users, for those who want to get high-quality and comprehensive enrichment of indoor air, this is the best choice. Moreover, there is also a “fan” mode as well as an indicator, which greatly simplifies the use of the device.

The ionizer 2055D from the Air-O-Swiss brand has a laconic design and is available in several colors

Panasonic F-VXD50R-W: high quality of modern Japanese technology

The Panasonic F-VXD50R-W air ionizer model is a product of a Japanese company, which deservedly takes its place in the market, since nanotechnology is used for its operation. It is capable of serving a space of up to 40 m², saturating the air with both anions and cations. But its capabilities are not limited to this. It can humidify and purify the air, attracting and retaining dust particles and various organic inclusions.

Its high efficiency is ensured by a special supply valve located near the floor, which operates under the control of a dust sensor, activating the cleaning function when the corresponding signal is given.

The noise level of this device is in the range of 19 – 50 dB, consuming from 12 to 70 W. This device consumes more water to humidify the air than the previous one - up to 500 ml/hour.

According to user reviews, the Panasonic F-VXD50R-W air ionizer is very easy to use thanks to several operating modes

Among the arguments in favor of choosing this ionizer, it is worth noting the high build quality that characterizes Japanese products, as well as the ability to program the operating mode of the ionizer.

The only thing that can keep users from such a purchase is the rather high cost of this model (about 32 thousand rubles), however, for those who value high Japanese quality and want to buy the really best for themselves, this option is perfect.

The Panasonic F-VXD50R-W air ionizer model has a high cost because nanotechnology is used for its operation

BONECO 1355N: cleaner and humidifier with silver rod

This device is an affordable and functional device that is noticeably smaller, but at the same time copes no worse with all the tasks that are assigned to it. The ionizer is equipped with a silver rod that is built into the water mill. Such a system allows not only to ionize the surrounding air, but also to simultaneously sterilize it, neutralizing more than 600 types of bacteria and viruses.

Thus, the BONECO 1355N ionizer simultaneously solves several problems at once: it humidifies and purifies the air, enriching it with ions. The device can be used in rooms whose area does not exceed 50 m², and its power consumption does not exceed 20 W. The noise produced by the device does not exceed 20 dB, and the water consumption is only 300 ml/hour. This ionizer is often chosen by those users who want to get good results at a low price. Such a device costs about 10 thousand rubles.

Helpful advice! To maintain a high-quality level of ionization and air humidification, it is necessary to pay attention to the frequency of cleaning and replacing filters in the device.

BONECO 1355N air purifier can cover a space of up to 50 m²

ZENET XJ-2100: mobile device for air purification and ionization

Another ionizer equipped with air purification functions, but working on a slightly different principle. For this purpose, an ultraviolet lamp is used here, which, paired with an active oxygen generator, makes the air in the room as beneficial as possible for humans.

During the development of this model, attention was paid to its ergonomics, which later made it possible to use not only a household power supply as a power source, but also any 12-volt source of electricity. For example, this made it possible to use it in a car.

The area that this ionizer can serve is at least 25 m², while the power consumption is only 8 W. Unlike all previous models reviewed, ZENET XJ-2100 operates completely silently, which is one of its advantages.

Thus, if you need a mobile ionizer, then for just 4000–4500 rubles you can purchase an almost ideal option.

The ZENET XJ-2100 ionizer operates almost silently, which is a big advantage for this type of device

Air purifier-ionizer Super Plus Turbo

Among models of foreign brands, a place of honor is occupied by domestically produced products, which are in no way inferior to foreign models in terms of technical characteristics, but at the same time cost much less.

By completely eliminating the use of moving parts, the manufacturer was able to create an incredibly economical and quiet device that is capable of enriching the air thanks to the “ionic wind” effect. In this model, air ionization occurs using a corona electric charge.

The device copes well with tasks such as removing dust (even very small particles), smoke, heavy metal particles, etc. In addition, with its help you can scent the air in the room.

Super Plus Turbo is a domestically produced ionizer that is not inferior in characteristics to foreign models

Weighing only 2 kg, the ionizer is capable of fully serving a room with a volume of 20 to 100 m², while consuming up to 10 W. This device has 4 operating modes, and the price ranges from 4 thousand rubles.

Helpful advice! You can also consider an air purifier model with a Super Plus Eco ionizer. This is another worthy representative of domestic products, which has its own advantages and advantages over others.

To summarize, we can say that depending on your requirements and preferences, you can always choose the appropriate option. Having considered the options offered in various price categories and having a wide variety of technical characteristics, you will certainly choose the model that suits you.

Device diagram

The air ionizer circuit shows how high voltage voltage can be obtained. To create light air ions of negative polarity, which have useful properties, you need a special emitter.

Ionizer circuit

The basis of the device is: film capacitor C1 with a voltage of 250-400 V, diodes with a voltage of at least 400 V, regulator P2 with a power of at least 2 W. The main part of the device is a high-voltage coil. The unit also has a motor.

Diagram of an ionizing device