Negative Ion
Air Purification
A.K.A. Air Ionization (Ionic
Air Purification)
Studies
Proving the Effectiveness of Negative Ion
Generators
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
The U.S.D.A.
discovered the following in recent studies conducted in a
poultry house, which are notoriously polluted:
- Reduced salmonella (bacteria)
transmission between chicks by 98%.
- Reduced airborne salmonella (bacteria) by
95%.
- Reduced airborne dust & particles by 99% in 60
seconds.
(Summary
of Study from USDA Website)
Journal of Hygiene
This scientific publication reports that negative ions cause
dust particles to agglomerate and settle out of air. For this
same reason, ionization can improve the efficiency of filters.
Good Housekeeping
Magazine
In March of 1999,
Good Housekeeping Magazine had its engineers test an ionizer by
using a smoke test, and found that it cleared out the smoke in a
tank.
Journal of Hygiene
Scientists showed that ionization reduced bacterial levels in burns and
plastic surgery units by over 96% after a two week period, which
results in much better and more rapid healing of patients.
Columbia University
Researchers found people with winter and chronic depression show
that negative ion generators relieve depression as much
as antidepressants. It was also determined that there are
relatively no side effects.
European Respiratory
Journal
A statistically significant decrease of carbon monoxide
values was found with an ionizer activated. This was discovered
by researchers at Brompton Hospital in London, and published in
European Respiratory Journal.
Journal of Applied
Microbiology
The use of negative ions was even found by scientists to reduce the
presence of airborne viruses by about 40%. A study featured in
the 1987 issue also showed the negative ions are free from any adverse
side effects.
St. James University
Hospital
Researchers have found that hospital-acquired infections
among patients in the Intensive Care Unit were dramatically
reduced when ionizers were introduced - and have remained so
since. The ionizers were found to successfully remove bacteria
from air, reducing the transmission of infection.
Science
A 1976 study featured in this publication provided evidence that
negative ions can have a biologically lethal effect on airborne
microorganisms.
Journal of Hygiene
A 1979 study found that using negative ionization in the air protected
chickens from airborne infection of the deadly Newcastle Disease Virus.
Journal of Food
Protection
A 2001 study found that airborne negative ionization was highly
effective at destroying airborne and surface salmonella.
University of
Medicine and Pharmacy (Romania)
A test on male rats showed that just moderate levels of negative ions
increased the resistance of the rats, reducing or eliminating the effect
of some chemicals.
(Summary
of Study)
Effect of Negative
Ions on Drivers
A study by Toyota Central R & D Labs, Inc. found that negative ions
can improve fatigue and cognition of drivers. (Copy
of Study - PDF File)
How Negative Ions Purify the
Air
Virtually all particles in the air have
a positive charge, while negative ions have a negative charge. In which
case, negative ions and particles magnetically attract to one another.
When there is a high enough concentration of negative ions in the air,
they will attract to floating particles in large numbers. This causes
the particle to become too heavy to remain airborne. As a result, the
particle will fall out of the air, preventing it from being inhaled into
the respiratory tract where it can trigger breathing and health
problems.
The ionized particle will then be
collected by normal cleaning activities, such as vacuuming or dusting.
If the particle happens to be kicked back up into the air again, it will
be ionized, and quickly settled out of the air once again.
In
nature, negative
ions are generated by processes such as sunlight, lightening,
waves from the ocean, and from waterfalls. "Concrete Jungles"
minimize the natural production of negative ions by disrupting the
delicate electrical balance between the atmosphere and the earth. The
XJ-2000 recreates them with
electrode pins ("needlepoints") to
electrically produce negative ions. This method produces a density that is
many times higher than the
negative ion level found at Niagara Falls, the highest natural producer
of negative ions and one of the healthiest
environments in the world.
About UV Light Air
Purification
Research
Studies and Facts
No other air purification is
more effective at neutralizing micro-organisms than ultraviolet light radiation.
How Ultraviolet Light
Works
Ultraviolet
light possesses just the right amount of energy to break organic molecular
bonds. As micro-organisms pass by the UV rays radiated from the ultraviolet
lamp, this bond breakage translates into cellular or genetic damage for
micro-organisms, such as germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi (like molds), etc. This
resulted in the destruction of the micro-organisms. The same damage occurs to
humans, but is limited to the skin and eyes. UV air purifiers, such as the
Multi-Tech XJ-3000C from Heaven Fresh , shield direct ultraviolet light from
escaping the inside of the unit, sterilizing only the air that passes through
the air cleaner.
UV Light Air Purifier
Facts & Studies
-
The
Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends the use of ultraviolet
light with simultaneous use of HEPA air filters, both of which are offered in
the Multi-Tech XJ-3000C air purifier.
-
The U.S. government now specifies that UV light should be used in air
handling units to improve indoor air quality in government buildings,
by controlling airborne and surface microbial growth.
- The Air Institute of
Respiratory Education suggests UV lights be used in buildings for indoor
air quality purposes, and states that may be the final line of defence
against those diseases that have developed resistance to drugs, such as
tuberculosis and others.
-
According
to the Aerobiological Engineering Dept. at Penn State University, the
ultraviolet component of sunlight is the main reason microbes die in the
outdoor air. The die-off rate in the outdoors varies from one pathogen to
another, but can be anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes for a
90-99% kill of viruses or contagious bacteria.
-
The
Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends UV lights in
homeless shelters to prevent the spread of disease, particularly TB
(tuberculosis).
-
A study by
Air & Waste Management Association found the combination of a HEPA air
filter and germicidal UV lamp reduced bacteria by 80% in a 3072 cubic foot
chamber.
UV Light Air Purification
Research Study
UV Lamps Reduce Worker
Sickness
This study tested 771 employees in
three different office buildings. The UV lights, which were installed in the
ventilation system, were operated in three cycles of four weeks on, twelve weeks
off. Measurements showed a 99% reduction of germs on irradiated surfaces inside
the ventilation system.
During some weeks, there was a 40%
reduction in respiratory symptoms, and a 30% reduction in mucous problems in
individuals examined. When the lights were activated, muscle complaints among
non-smokers were reduced by 50%, and work-related breathing problems decreased
by 60%.
