When it comes to air purification, there are two main options: air purifiers and air ionizers. Both of these devices can help to improve the air quality in your home, but they work in very different ways. Air purifiers use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to trap particles, while air ionizers use negative ions to neutralize ultra-small particles. In this article, we'll explore the differences between air purifiers and air ionizers and how they can help improve your home's air quality. Ionizers also purify a larger area than HEPA air purifiers and can remove smaller particles from the air.
Generally speaking, both devices serve the same purpose: they clean the air, eliminating allergens and pollutants. Both can remove particles that measure a thousand times smaller than a millimeter, but the way they do it is very different. An air ionizer is a device that releases negative ions into the air. These negative ions attach to tiny particles, such as those in tobacco smoke. Ion generators work by charging particles in a room so that they are attracted to walls, floors, tables, curtains, occupants, etc.
Abrasion can cause these particles to be resuspended in the air. In some cases, these devices contain a collector to attract charged particles back to the unit. Although some have suggested that these devices provide a benefit in rectifying a hypothetical ion imbalance, no controlled study has confirmed this effect. Ozone, a lung irritant, is produced indirectly by ion generators and some other electronic air purifiers and directly by ozone generators. While the indirect production of ozone is a cause for concern, there is even greater concern with the direct and intentional introduction of a lung irritant into indoor air.
There is no difference, despite the claims of some vendors, between the ozone present in outdoor smog and the ozone produced by these devices. Under certain conditions of use, ion generators and other ozone-generating air filters can produce levels of this lung irritant well above levels considered harmful to human health. A small percentage of air purifiers that claim to have health benefits may be regulated by the FDA as medical devices. The Food and Drug Administration has set a limit of 0.05 parts per million of ozone for medical devices. While ozone can be used to reduce odors and pollutants in unoccupied spaces (such as eliminating smoke odors from homes affected by fires), the levels needed to achieve this are above what is generally considered safe for humans. For that reason, it's important to weigh the positive impact that an ionizer can have on the level of particulates in the air with any harm it could cause to health by producing ozone. Many of these particles are known irritants that can aggravate allergies and asthma, but they can be removed from the air with an air purifier.
If you regularly use an air purifier with a high-quality air filter, you can expect some relief from symptoms related to allergies and a number of respiratory conditions. Air ionizers can successfully neutralize ultra-small particles, making them a great choice for eliminating germs, bacteria, VOCs, viruses, and more. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been installing ionizers in offices and restaurants. Air ionizers are generally considered safe, as manufacturers must comply with federal guidelines on the amount of ozone allowed to be produced as a by-product. In contrast, air purifiers take advantage of the chemical properties of ions to remove particles and microbes from the air. Simply put, an air ionizer is a type of air purifier, although they work much differently than typical models. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can hypothetically remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria.
Air purifiers of all types can positively benefit your health, as they clean the air and remove impurities. While air purifiers remove particles from circulation by trapping them, ionizers simply make them heavy enough to fall to the floor, meaning they still need to be cleaned and can be easily altered and reintroduced into the air. Weighing up all these factors will help you decide which type of device is best for your home: an air purifier or an air ionizer. Both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to improving your home's indoor air quality. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and what works best for your particular needs.
