Air Ionizers - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

End User · 06-28-2004, 04:13 PM

I was recently thinking about buying an Air Ionizer for my small office.
I was hoping someone had some experience with these and would be able to tell me whether it's all just marketing hype, or whether these things actually work.
The one I was thinking about getting is this one: http://www.safehomeproducts.com/SHP/ES/Ionizer.asp

SinisterMotives · 06-28-2004, 04:21 PM

Air ionizers do in fact work by electrically charging particles in the air, thus causing them to stick to surfaces. While they do clean the air, a drawback with many such devices is that they leave a residue of the removed particles on draperies and walls.

choskins · 06-28-2004, 04:24 PM

They do work. Try the Living Air Classic. It is used in most restaurants, including Ryan's Steak Houses that are 11,000 s.f. I use one in my basement bar and one upstairs. The upstairs unit cleans both upper levels of over 3,000 s.f. The basement one handles cigar smoke. He He He!

SinisterMotives · 06-28-2004, 04:35 PM

The Living Air system is indeed a good one. From what I understand, it draws the particles into the machine itself, eliminating the residue deposits that some of the other machines leave on household surfaces.

choskins · 06-28-2004, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SinisterMotives
The Living Air system is indeed a good one. From what I understand, it draws the particles into the machine itself, eliminating the residue deposits that some of the other machines leave on household surfaces.

It does. I clean the ionizing plate about once a quarter, blow out the unit with my air hose and replace the HEPA filter (optional) about every 6 months. Very cheap and low maintenance.

Ripsaw · 06-29-2004, 05:40 AM

I have the Sharper Image Ionic Breezes. I clean the plates once a week, and one unit is good enough for an entire floor. It removes cat dander, which is a lifesaver for me, as well as any other particulates. I've never seen an accumulation of residue on my drapes or walls, however. It is also very good for hayfever season.

kutulu · 06-29-2004, 11:58 AM

They are small scale models of large electrostatic precipitators which are used in many industries to control particulate emissions.

SinisterMotives · 06-29-2004, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by choskins
It does. I clean the ionizing plate about once a quarter, blow out the unit with my air hose and replace the HEPA filter (optional) about every 6 months. Very cheap and low maintenance.

The classic unit I'm familiar with doesn't have a HEPA filter, just metal screens front and back. A salesman suggested that it somehow used radio waves to attract charged pollutant particles to the unit, but I don't see how that theory would work.

Redlemon · 06-29-2004, 01:19 PM

If you use either dry-erase markers, or pine/citrus air fresheners, an air ionizer is a VERY bad thing. There was an article in the Air & Waste Management Associations' magazine EM, which discussed the reactions resulting in bad respirable carcinogens. I'll try to find it.

{edit}
Ah, here we go. You would need a registration to get to the full article, so I'll just post this Journal Abstract:

Quote:

Indoor Fine Particles: The Role of Terpene Emissions from Consumer Products
Golam Sarwar, David A. Olson, and Richard L. Corsi, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources, University of Texas, Austin, Texas

Charles J. Weschler, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey

Abstract:

Consumer products can emit significant quantities of terpenes, which can react with ozone (O3). Resulting byproducts include compounds with low vapor pressures that contribute to the growth of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). The focus of this study was to evaluate the potential for SOA growth, in the presence of O3, following the use of a lime-scented liquid air freshener, a pinescented solid air freshener, a lemon-scented generalpurpose cleaner, a wood floor cleaner, and a perfume. Two chamber experiments were performed for each of these five terpene-containing agents, one at an elevated O3 concentration and the other at a lower O3 concentration. Particle number and mass concentrations increased and O3 concentrations decreased during each experiment. Experiments with terpene-based air fresheners produced the highest increases in particle number and mass concentrations. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that homogeneous reactions between O3 and terpenes from various consumer products can lead to increases in fine particle mass concentrations when these products are used indoors. Particle increases can occur during periods of elevated outdoor O3 concentrations or indoor O3 generation, coupled with elevated terpene releases. Human exposure to fine particles can be reduced by minimizing indoor terpene concentrations or O3 concentrations.

Implications:

The results of this study clearly demonstrate that homogeneous reactions between O3 and certain terpenes lead to increases in fine particle mass concentrations. This increase can be significant during periods of elevated outdoor O3 concentrations or indoor O3 generation, coupled with elevated terpene releases (e.g., from consumer products). The resulting particle mass concentrations increase human exposure to fine particles. Such exposure could be reduced by avoiding indoor sources of O3 (e.g., from O3 generators marketed as air "purifiers") or by reducing the use of consumer products that contain large quantities of terpenes, especially during the summer O3 season.

It is actually in the March 2004 edition of the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, if you care to look it up. And O3 is ozone, which is what is generated by the 'air ionizers'.

choskins · 06-29-2004, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SinisterMotives
The classic unit I'm familiar with doesn't have a HEPA filter, just metal screens front and back. A salesman suggested that it somehow used radio waves to attract charged pollutant particles to the unit, but I don't see how that theory would work.

You can buy an upgrade kit that replaces the back metal filter with a HEPA filter.

It doesn't use radio waves. It charges the air, as discussed.

Another good use for it is getting smoke smell out of clothes. Getting smoke out of leather is a pain in the ass, as you can't effectively clean it. I place it on a hanger in front of the unit before hitting the sack. The next morning it smells fresh and clean.

SinisterMotives · 06-29-2004, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by choskins
It doesn't use radio waves. It charges the air, as discussed.

I knew that. What he specifically meant was, that's how it keeps charged particles from sticking to walls and stuff.

choskins · 06-29-2004, 02:37 PM

Oh, sorry!

Acetylene · 06-30-2004, 08:47 AM

I like ionizers because they can remove much tinier particles than mere mechanical filters. They also remove smells and make the air smell and taste like rain. The only problem is, they don't tend to last for long, so get the extended warrenty if you buy a fancy one.

06-28-2004, 04:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
End User Insane Location: Sydney, Australia	Air Ionizers I was recently thinking about buying an Air Ionizer for my small office. I was hoping someone had some experience with these and would be able to tell me whether it's all just marketing hype, or whether these things actually work. The one I was thinking about getting is this one: http://www.safehomeproducts.com/SHP/ES/Ionizer.asp __________________ People who have no faults are terrible!

06-28-2004, 04:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
choskins Psycho Location: Greenville, SC	They do work. Try the Living Air Classic. It is used in most restaurants, including Ryan's Steak Houses that are 11,000 s.f. I use one in my basement bar and one upstairs. The upstairs unit cleans both upper levels of over 3,000 s.f. The basement one handles cigar smoke. He He He! __________________ "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." - Sigmund Freud

06-29-2004, 05:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	I have the Sharper Image Ionic Breezes. I clean the plates once a week, and one unit is good enough for an entire floor. It removes cat dander, which is a lifesaver for me, as well as any other particulates. I've never seen an accumulation of residue on my drapes or walls, however. It is also very good for hayfever season. __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

06-29-2004, 02:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
choskins Psycho Location: Greenville, SC	Oh, sorry! __________________ "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." - Sigmund Freud

06-30-2004, 08:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
Acetylene Addict Location: under a rock	I like ionizers because they can remove much tinier particles than mere mechanical filters. They also remove smells and make the air smell and taste like rain. The only problem is, they don't tend to last for long, so get the extended warrenty if you buy a fancy one. __________________ There's no justice. There's just us.

06-28-2004, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
SinisterMotives Junkie	Air ionizers do in fact work by electrically charging particles in the air, thus causing them to stick to surfaces. While they do clean the air, a drawback with many such devices is that they leave a residue of the removed particles on draperies and walls.

06-28-2004, 04:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
SinisterMotives Junkie	The Living Air system is indeed a good one. From what I understand, it draws the particles into the machine itself, eliminating the residue deposits that some of the other machines leave on household surfaces.

06-29-2004, 11:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	They are small scale models of large electrostatic precipitators which are used in many industries to control particulate emissions.