What Are Ionizer Air Filtration Systems?

Hösh
Hösh
Sep 5, 2018 · 3 min read

When it comes to air purification, there are a few different options for systems you can implement in your home. The most effective are those that use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, but another common system employs what are known as ionizers.

What are ionizers and how do they purify air?

Ionized air purification systems release a stream of negatively charged ions into the air, which attach to contaminants and allergens that are circulating nearby. Those particles are then attracted to positively charged plates in the ionizer, or they’ll stick to any other nearby positively-charged surface.

Ionizers are devices that disperse negatively or positively charged ions which attach to particles in the air. The particulate matter is then collected by the ionizer or attaches to nearby surfaces. Ionizers are typically sold as “air purifiers” that remove allergen or asthma-inducing particles from the air.

Effects on Allergies

Ionizers are often advertised on the basis that they will help improve allergy symptoms by ridding the air of contaminants and allergens. While ionizers do indeed capture particles circulating through the air, their range is limited and contaminants are often able to begin recirculating once the charge is dispeled.

Moreover, ionizers are incapable of removing many contaminants from the air altogether, such as those introduced by tobacco smoke. And because they work by drawing in particles with a charge, they seem less capable of dealing with larger, heavier particles like pollen, dust, and pet dander, which are major allergens.

Asthma Effects

When compared with zero air purification, ionizers are effective at reducing the frequency and severity of asthmatic episodes. They capture some airborne contaminants and allergens which harm people suffering from an allergic respiratory disease, and so they certainly help. However, ionizers remain ineffective at completely cleaning the air and only serve to somewhat reduce the onset of asthmatic episodes when compared with other types of air filtration systems.

Ionizers can even make asthma worse in some cases. Because small particles, once charge by an ionizer, can sometimes remain suspended in the air, they can actually exacerbate asthmatic symptoms. Moreover, these systems often generate ozone as a byproduct, which can also exacerbate respiratory issues. Instead, consider air purifiers that use HEPA filters, because they are both more effective than ionizers at removing contaminants and they do not introduce any elements that might aggravate existing respiratory conditions.

Mental Health Effects

Ionizers are not as effective at removing airborne particles as air purification devices that use high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters. Additionally, ionizers may also produce ozone, which can cause or worsen respiratory problems. That’s why Hösh employs HEPA air filters and medical grade UV lights to capture more than 99 percent of contaminants while simultaneously killing harmful bacteria and viruses in the air.

Make the right choice when considering air purification systems, and choose the one that’s going to truly clean the atmosphere. Choose Hösh!

https://www.hosh.co/products/

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