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Negative Ion Generators

Vol 2, No 4 (1982) Manuel Zammit, The Skeptics Journal

A small black box spitting out negative ions and a bit of ozone is another cure-all on the market. A flick of the switch and away with sleeplessness, tension, migraine, nausea, breathlessness and asthma - just to mention a few of the claims.

The principle of operation of negative ion generators in not new. An electrical charge is applied to air-borne particles like dust and pollen, and these fall out, leaving clean air behind. Dust collectors using the electrical charge principle, are employed successfully in industry, and are usually referred to as electrostatic filters. Negative ion generators are very crude versions of electrostatic filters. To remove dust from air efficiently, all the air must come within the charged zone. This is the reason why effective electrostatic filters use charged plates with a large surface area, and circulate the air with a fan.

Negative ion generators release their electrical charge from small, sharp needles which have a tiny surface area. The air immediately close to the needles receives most of the charge, and the remaining air is left unaffected. Unfortunately, the poisonous gas, ozone, is produced whenever an electrical discharge takes place in air. Lightning in a storm and sparking electrical motors always produce ozone. Electrostatic filters and negative ion generators also produce ozone.

Negative ion generators made before the 1960s produced so much of this gas that they were considered unsafe in the United States and banned. It is interesting that much of the scientific research quoted about the effectiveness of negative ions dates back to the time when available generators produced large quantities of ozone, and when ozone was still erroneously considered by many as the invigorating component of sea-side and country fresh air.

The two most often cited researchers on negative ions are: Professor Felix G. Sulman, Head of the Department of Applied Pharmacology at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, and Professor Albert P. Krueger, Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology at the University of California. Dr Krueger claims that the negative ions substantially improve the growth of plants and affect the production of some hormones in animals. It is interesting that the former claim has not been taken seriously by the plant-growing industry. The latter claim had sparked several research programmes (especially by Dr Sulman’s department) on the effect of negative ions on humans.

Dr Sulman’ s research centres on the effect on humans of the hot desert winds. His theory is that the positive ions in these winds cause their unpleasantness, and that negative ions restore the balance. These winds have been called"evil winds" or "witches’ winds". We are told that in Australia, the northerly winds in Victoria and the westerlies in New South Wales are our very own witches’ winds. Dr Sulman has done some experiments to prove his hypothesis. In Jerusalem, it is well known that Dr Sulman carries out research aimed at helping "weather-sensitive" people who suffer during these desert winds. In one project, individuals with these complaints were treated with negative ions, and were then asked how they felt. Up to 30% of the group treated said they received relief from the treatment.

One glance at Dr Sulman’ s method reveals that the 30% success rate is no more than placebo effect. Simply, this means that 30% of the patients may have received benefit anyway, in the absence of any treatment.

In a later study, Dr Sulman set out to prove that changes in weather conditions are reflected in the hormone secretion of 500 females. He claimed to have carried out the study "double-blind" to eliminate any placebo effect. In a double-blind experiment, neither the experimenter nor the subject are told when the conditions are varied, thus eliminating bias. A close look at Dr Sulman’s report reveals that the experimenter adjusted to the conditions until the required results were achieved Those reports would be excusable if produced by someone unskilled in the methods of science, but when published by no less than a professor of pharmacology, one can justly suspect bias. The results given in these reports are very scrappy, and give no assurance that the trials were conducted in a truly scientific fashion. Furthermore, Dr Sulman had an axe to grind, as he is financially linked to one of the big manufacturers of negative ion generators. Dr Sulman issues certificates recommending negative ion therapy based on his experimental "proof’ of their beneficial effects. Manufacturers of ion generators use Dr Sulman’s claims as the hub of their sales promotion literature.

Because Dr Sulman presents no convincing evidence that his trials were conducted in a scientific fashion, so that the placebo effect was eliminated, his claims should not be taken seriously. Claims that negative ion generators help asthmatics have been refuted in at least two carefully conducted, independent and impartial studies (1,2, ) The Asthma Foundation of Victoria does not recommend the use of negative ion generators, and warns of the dangers of ozone. Negative ion generators have not earned a place as a genuine method of curing sickness in any branch of medicine.

References

1. Zylberberg B. and Loveless, M.H. Preliminary experiments with ionised air in asthma. Journal of Allergy (1960) pp 30-4.
2. Jones, D.P, O’Connor, S.A., Collins, J.V. and Watson, B.W. Effects of long-term ionised air treatment of patients with bronchial asthma.Thorax 197631 p42~32

Copyright © 1996-2004 Australian Skeptics Inc.

Also read How Negative Ions Purify the Air

We carry the following two technologies that generate negative ions:

Surround Air Multi-Tech Ionizers

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Negative ions clean the air by magnetically attracting to pollutants until these newly-formed larger particles become too heavy to remain in the air you breathe and they fall to the ground. Surround Air Ionizers continually produce negative ions, without creating the "black-wall" effect of older ionization technologies, so even if one of these fallen particles is kicked up into the air, it is quickly removed again. The most important thing, though, is that they are taken out of the air, preventing you from inhaling them into your lungs, which is how they cause problems.

Since certain technologies are much better than others at removing different types of air pollutants, all Surround Ionizers are multi-technology. All models include ionization, a prefilter, a HEPA and Carbon Filter and UV lamp, plus some models include a TiO2 filter or an optional ozone sanitizer. And, the Intelli-Pro includes electronic sensors. With Surround, you get the best of the most advanced air purification technologies on the market, all rolled into one air purifier. The best part is that Surround Multi-tech ionizers and replacement filters are affordable for every budget. more info

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No air purifier on the market can compete in effectiveness, energy efficiency, adaptability and quiet operation, when compared to the Air Oasis G3 patent-pending Nano Nickel HCT photocatalytic oxidation technology. Other oxidation brands use only titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a catalyst, the cheapest, most available catalyst metal on the market, whereas Air Oasis contains five rare catalyst metals and nano size metals to increase the kinetic rate of reaction.

Unlike HEPA filters that only remove some particulate and carbon filters that only remove chemicals, VOCs and odors, Air Oasis technology is proven effective against MRSA, bacteria, molds, VOCs, chemicals, gases, odors, pollen, dander and more. Extensive testing conducted by West Texas A&M University at BSA Hospital confirm that Air Oasis not only purifies your air, but sanitizes surfaces, too. Additionally, Air Oasis Air Purifers are made in the USA, using brushed aluminum casings and UV lamps that utilize a proprietary long life coating, allowing them to outlast any UV lamp on the market. Read More about Air Oasis G3 Air Purifiers

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It's no mystery that the air inside our homes, offices and nearly every building we enter is contaminated with toxic air pollution problems. But wading through the plethora of air purification technologies and models to make our living and working space free of pollution can be a daunting task, especially with the misinformation presented by so many salespeople and web sites. There are many different air purification technologies and air filters on the market, but no one air purifier technology can solve every air pollution problem, which is why we carry different brands. For help determining which air purifier is right for you, click on one of the below links or call us toll free at 866-875-4386 (US and Canada).

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