Plasmacluster Ion Technology Synopsis

By the application of positive and negative voltages to discharge electrodes in the Plasmacluster Ion generator, plasma is formed. Plasma is often described as the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid and gas. Containing electrons that roam free from any bond to atoms and molecules, it exists as a partially ionized gaseous state. Natural water molecules in the plasma are decomposed into positive hydrogen ions and negative oxygen ions. Water molecules in the room air form clusters around the hydrogen ions and oxygen ions; hence creating the distinguishable and stable Plasmacluster Ions. Plasmacluster Ions are instantaneously transformed into the highly reactive and unstable hydroxyl radical upon coming into contact with pathogens. Such a mercurial make-up causes hydroxyl radicals to quickly interact with hydrogen atoms on the surface mebranes of pathogens. And the result; inactivated pathogens and a harmless by-product, water. Simply perfect! But is it real?

Plasmacluster Ion – Fact or Fiction?

A serious Sharp air purifier review will not cast aside a crucial issue – are Plasmacluster Ions fiction or scientific fact? As with many other products emerging from the field of nanotechnology, Plasmacluster Ions are invisible to the naked eye. And the individual air purifier user has no means to verify its authenticity. There is really no choice but to depend on reported results of experiments with Plasmacluster Ions. Efficiency tests (in real-life locations) and efficacy tests (in laboratory conditions) are the 2 usual testing methods.

Sharp, consistent with its long track record of achievements, scores again in having anticipated these valid concerns. To deal with this, Sharp introduced academic marketing. In association with leading academic institutions, Sharp puts its claims for Plasmacluster Ions to the test by scientists. Scientific data generated from such collaborative efforts becomes the foundation of new products from Sharp. Two separate approaches to effectiveness, efficacy and efficiency, is being pursued by Sharp. Efficacy testing has been the focus from the year 2000 to July 2009. Taking centrestage now is efficiency testing which is carried out at end user locations where Plasmacluster Ion technology is employed.

Plasmacluster Ion – Certification at Molecular Levels

Delving deep for this Sharp air purifier review, it became clear to us that Sharp firmly believes that the science in efficacy and efficiency testing will give them the industry lead. Sharp announced on 17 November 2004 the scientific findings of Professor Gerhard Artmann of the Department of Cell Biophysics and Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Armed with an electron microscope, leading cellular engineering authority Professor Artmann confirmed that Plasmacluster Ions led to the destruction of more than 60 protein types on the cell membranes of viruses and bacteria, thereby inactivating them.

Another significant finding was that Plasmacluster Ions do not penetrate the pathogen cell membrane to impact the cell DNA. The fact that Plasmacluster Ions annihilate pathogens without having to destroy their DNA is claimed as an advantage over some other air purification technologies that specifically rely on DNA destruction. The flipside of this claim is that possible interference with DNA may have unintended cancer implications to users of other technologies.

Plasmacluster Ion – Efficacy Tests

This current Sharp air purifier review summarizes the efficacy tests conducted on various pathogens by Sharp and its partners. Via tests conducted between September 2000 to July 2009 under the umbrella of academic marketing, research scientists have demonstrated the efficacy of Plasmacluster Ions in destroying at least 28 types of airborne pathogens. It is noteworthy that the list of 28 includes such notoriously harmful pathgoens like MRSA, a bacterium that infects hospitalized patients, and viruses like the SARS virus, the H5N1 avian flu virus and the H1N1 virus that caused many fatalities in Mexico in 2009.

Among others, viruses annihilated by Plasmacluster Ions also include the polio virus and the coxsackie virus which is blamed for the common cold. Also inactivated are staphylococcus, white staphylococcus, enterococcus, micrococcus, escherichia coli, serrata bacterium, candida, sarcina, pseudomonas and bacillus subtilis. Allergens, pollen, mites, have also been effectively eradicated together with fungi like aspergillus, alternaria, cladosporium, mucor, penicillium and stachybotrys.

The organizations, some of which conducted multiple tests, were:

- Asthma Society of Canada

- University of Lübeck, Germany

- CT&T, Aachen University of Applied Science, Germany

- Harvard School of Public Health, USA

- Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., London, UK

- Seoul University, Korea

- Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan

- Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan

- Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan

- Kitasato Institute, Medical Center Hospital, Japan

- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China

The last reported efficacy test was reported on 27 July 2009 involving the Osaka City University Medical School validating the inhibitory power of Plasmacluster Ions on allergic reactions caused by mite allergens or mite dust (mite feces and dead mites).

To conclude our Sharp air purifier review with regard to efficacy testing, we emphasize the OECD GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) status of the testing organizations as this accords dependability to the test results. GLP status has to be renewed every 3 years. A critical piece of information yet it is often disregarded by the critics of air purification technologies and academic marketing. Another ignored fact is that the work of a GLP laboratory can definitely be scientifically peer reviewed. The much-vaunted scientific peer review is the last frontier to be conquered before the world will change its perceptions of the air purification industry and with it, Sharp’s Plasmacluster Ion technology!

Please sign up as we proceed to the final installment of our Sharp air purifier review.

Many home air purifiers use ozone to remove allergenic particles from the air. Ozone is an interesting molecule which has both beneficial and harmful properties. It consists of three oxygen atoms, which is an inherently unstable configuration which breaks down quickly, releasing an oxygen ion which is also a free radical. The presence of these free radicals is potentially dangerous to your lungs. It is thought that these free radicals can increase your likelihood of developing serious illnesses like cancer or asthma. If you have asthma, any air purifier that produces ozone should be avoided.

Generally, home air purifiers do not create enough ozone to be dangerous to your health, though. There may be an odor that you notice that is the result of some ozone in the air. Ozone is used in air purification systems because these molecules readily bind to particulate matter in the air, such as many of the common airborne allergens. There are also home air purifiers which use electrically charged metal plates instead of ozone to remove airborne particulates like pet dander, pollen and other materials. Fans move the air through the system with impurities being trapped by the charged metal plates. This is a relatively effective means of removing allergens from the air, but you will have to clean these plates weekly.

Using an allergy relief air purifier won’t make your allergies vanish, but it will go a long way towards making you feel better by making your symptoms appear much less frequently. The air in your home will be free of most dust, smoke and pollen particles. Home air purifiers vary by their capacity; a small air purifier does well for a 10’ x 15’ room, but if the space you want to use it in is much bigger than this, you’ll have to get a larger and pricier one.

Any home air purifiers you choose should have HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. A HEPA filter keeps particles pulled from the air from becoming airborne again, something which can be a problem with air purifiers that use metal plates to trap allergens and other impurities. Some but not all HEPA filters are washable; washable filters are reusable. A lot of the HEPA filters should be good as long as you have the home air purifiers, anywhere from 3 to 10 years. Some HEPA filters need replacing every few years. The quality of HEPA filters or how long they’ll last doesn’t always have a connection to the price, which is something to remember as you shop.

The sound level of your home air purifier may also be important to you. A good quality home air purifier will be quiet enough you don’t even know it is running. Some models make loud electrical crackles or pops; others have fans which are so loud that it’s hard to hear over them. You should always use a good quality filter in your heating and cooling system in your home. If you want to get your air even cleaner, though, you should look at home air purifiers especially for your bedroom or home office. The rooms you spend the most time in need to have the best air quality.

Mr. John Moore who is a researcher at New York’s Cornell University may surprise believers of the peer review system.

He says:

• “a lust for profit has led to too many journals,…all too easy to find…poor-quality work”

• “not everything in the peer-reviewed literature is correct. Indeed, some of it is downright bad science”

• “the peer review system…it’s the least-bad system that can be devised”.

The general public, warns Mr. Moore, must never over-rate every scientific peer review as the “gold standard” as “even reviewed literature can be cherry-picked to support any argument.” It is instructive that “professional scientists…know that scientific truth evolves on the basis of a mounting consensus, not through an isolated paper that adopts a maverick position, even if it has been peer-reviewed.”

These nuggets of wisdom from an “insider” like Mr. Moore is of great value to all industries, including the ionic air purifier industry, that are constantly lambasted by critics.

The ionic air purifier must meet the gold standard, demand critics. So do the authorities as well. How do we know? We simply asked. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) responded thus:

“NIOSH is not aware of any peer-reviewed scientific studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of ion generators/ionic air purifiers against viruses. NIOSH does not have any studies planned to evaluate these devices nor do we have a policy on their use.”

But it was encouraging that the NIOSH has not pronounced final judgment as they also said:

“NIOSH provides support for investigator initiated research. Should someone want to conduct such studies they may apply for funding by mechanisms available and described under “Funding Opportunities” at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/. Proposals are funded annually based on availability of funds, relevance of the proposed work to the NIOSH mission, and the quality of the science proposed.”

At our Ezine article (accessible via The Ionic Air Purifier Blog Ezine widget), we have reproduced the NIOSH’s exacting parameters of a scientific peer review.

It is not a question of funding. It is not outright rejection by the authorities. Why aren’t there any scientific peer reviews of the ionic air purifier after all these years? It would be great to hear from an insider of the ionic air purifier industry.

It is our view that with the advancements in ionic air purifier technologies, manufacturers should tap on available official funding. It may take just one high profile and successful scientific peer review to make all the difference? Of course, the ideal should be Mr. Moore’s “mounting consensus” of peer reviews in authenticating the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of the ionic air purifier.

Ionic Air Purifier – Until Scientific Reviews Abound, Do We Just Give Up On It?

Meanwhile, users looking for the ideal ionic air purifier can look to our Ionic Air Purifier Review – 4 Key Factors Model.

It is encouraging that we now know that a scientific peer review to be acceptable to any authority, it must cover the 2 safety aspects in our 4 Key Factors Model.

NIOSH states categorically: “…a scientifically valid study would need to be designed to test whether ion generators are effective in killing viruses to the extent that a hazard no longer remains, and that such technology does not by itself generate new hazards of its own, e.g., ozone or oxidized by-products. The design of such a study would be challenging.”

Sign up at the Ionic Air Purifier Blog to follow our ongoing research.

Aside from being thoroughly unpleasant to think they could be living in your carpets and bedding, dust mites are also one of the most common causes of asthma, eczema and an endless list of other inconvenient allergies. Technically it’s dust mites’ droppings rather than the actual mites that cause problems, as they are coated in an enzyme that is highly allergenic to over 20% of the population. Their food is the 50 million dead skin cells every human sheds each day, and it can be very tough to get rid of them completely. It’s tough, but far from impossible. If you think there might be dust mites in your home, the most important things to remember are:

Keep it Clean – If you want to get rid of dust mites, the most obvious solution is to remove the dust. They like to live in ‘dust bunnies’ and deep in the carpet pile so regular hoovering, daily if you have to, will not only suck many of them out of the carpet but cut off the food supply to those that are left behind. Keep windows open where possible as they don’t like sunlight, not to mention a healthy breeze will literally blow them away as they are so small!

Keep it Fresh –You might not think air quality would have much effect on dust mites considering they live in the carpet and furnishings, but in fact the right air conditioner could make all the difference. Even if you hoover every day the dust particles still have time to settle and create new homes for mites. Installing an air purifier with a HEPA filter literally removes all particles larger than 0.0003mm from the air before they get the chance to settle, meaning less food for mites.

Keep it Dry – Dust mites thrive in conditions where the relative humidity (RH) of the air is above 50%. The ideal RH in the home varies depending on where you live and who you ask, but it is usually around 45%. If humidity levels in your home are above 50% it’s worth taking steps to reduce it as this will not only stop the mites but can also improve the general health of the occupants. Basic things like keeping windows open when cooking or showering can make a difference but if the problem persists then using a dehumidifier is a quick and easy way to remove moisture from the air, maintaining the optimum RH and killing dust mites dead!

Existing ionic air purifier technology, regardless of whether they originate in North America, Europe, Japan or China produce a primary beneficial reactive agent. These reactive agents may be negative ions, bipolar ions, plasmacluster ions and so on. Their main role is to eliminate airborne contaminants in our indoor living environment. There is much research on the efficacy of these reactive agents in eliminating contaminants. What we do not know is whether these same potent reactive agents also cause harm to fragile human tissues such as those that line our breathing passages from the trachea to the lungs.

Whether by design or otherwise, there is also an information void about whether there are other by-products and if these are harmful to fragile human tissues as well. In the industry, however, it is known that current ionic air purifier technology inadvertently results in the production of by-products. In sufficient quantities, these may prove harmful to human tissue. Ozone is one of the potentially toxic by-products. In high concentrations, ozone has been proven to damage human tissues.

Accordingly, for the ionic air purifier user, the issue of safety has to be addressed from these two perspectives:

(1) Potential harm from the beneficial reactive agents, and

(2) Potential harm from the unintended by-products.

Our intensive though by no means exhaustive research on these two perspectives have been condensed into two detailed write-ups that are featured on Ezinearticles.com.

Don’t miss these 2 in-depth Ezine articles. To read, click on the Ezine Author Badge on The Ionic Air Purifier Blog.

Ezinearticles.com, within their terms and conditions, allows publishers to freely reproduce these two articles. So help yourself, publish the two articles on your websites as a complete set, via these links:

(1) Beneficial reactive agents

(2) Unintended by-products

In addition, keep updated with our progress as we research other aspects of the very broad, intriguing and exciting field of ionic air purifier technologies.

Existing ionic air purifier technology, regardless of whether they originate in North America, Europe, Japan or China produce a primary beneficial reactive agent.Depending on the specific technology, these reactive agents may be called negative ions, bipolar ions, plasmacluster ions and so on. Their chief role is to eliminate contaminants in the air we breathe. There is much research on the efficacy of these reactive agents in eliminating these airborne contaminants. What we do not know is whether these same potent reactive agents also cause harm to delicate human tissues such as those that line our breathing passages from the trachea to the lungs.    

There is also an information vacuum about whether there are other by-products and if these are harmful to human tissues as well. In the industry, however, it is known that current ionic air purifier technology inadvertently results in the production of by-products. In sufficient quantities, these may prove harmful to human tissue. One of the main by-products which attracts much attention is ozone, which in high concentrations is known to be harmful to human tissues.

Accordingly, for the ionic air purifier user, the issue of safety has to be addressed from these two perspectives:

(1) Potential harm from the beneficial reactive agents, and

(2) Potential harm from the unintended by-products.

Though not exhaustive, our intensive research on these two perspectives have been condensed into two detailed write-ups that have been featured on Ezinearticles.com.

Don’t miss these 2 in-depth Ezine articles. To read, click on the Ezine Author Badge on The Ionic Air Purifier Blog.

Subject to their terms and conditions, Ezinearticles.com allows publishers to freely reproduce these two articles. So help yourself, publish the two articles on your websites as a complete set, via these links:

(1) Beneficial reactive agents

(2) Unintended by-products

In addition, keep updated with our progress as we research other aspects of the very broad, intriguing and exciting field of ionic air purifier technologies.

Ionic air purifiers hold the promise of clean air, purified of all known harmful contaminants that threaten our health. Air is made impure by substances unseen by our naked eye. Invisible ions battling invisible contaminants appears to make perfect sense. Intuitively, the logic is appealing. Sadly, google has no quick answer to meet my simple expectation. Instead, controversy abounds. Even though I am tempted to quickly get an ionic air purifier to clean the air I breathe, it is clear that more time and effort is needed. The search for an ionic air purifier must focus on its safety aspects as much, if not more, than its effectiveness against contaminants.

The recent China melamine saga that killed infants also serves as a reminder to us that in buying into any technology or any product, all claims by manufacturers and distributors must be screened to the fullest extent that our resources permit. Where the reactive agent is invisible, it becomes even more critical to focus on it. Invisible ions of ionic air purifiers fall squarely in this realm.

This article is an overview of existing ionic air purifier technologies in the global marketplace. My back-to-basics approach is an attempt, as a layperson, to understand the science behind the technology. The current key trend appears to be the creation of a potent invisible defence shield against airborne molecular contaminants that threaten our well-being. The predominant airborne threat being monitored by scientists the world over is the avian flu virus.

Types of Ionic Air Purifier Technologies

Broadly speaking, air purification technologies can be deployed in either passive or active modes. In passive mode, impure air is drawn into the air purifier for reactive agents to work on before re-emerging as cleaned air into the environment. In active mode, the reactive agents are pushed into the environment with the impure air. It is not unusual to find combinations of both passive and active modes in many ionic air puriifers.

In the global market today, ionic air purifier technologies include the following categories:

(A) Ion generator – positive and negative ions
(B) Ion generator – negative ions only
(C) Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
(D) Electrostatic filter
(E) Combos

Ion Generator – Positive and Negative Ions

This combination of positive and negative ions appears to show the most promise for the future of ionic air purifier technology. They have been named as plasmacluster ions by Sharp Corporation, the Japanese corporate powerhouse that invented them.

Sharp explains that the plasmacluster of positive and negative ions clump to harmful airborne bacteria and viruses. When clumping occurs, hydroxyl is produced. Commonly known as nature’s detergent, hydroxyl is a powerful reactive species that destroys airborne particulates by removing hydrogen molecules from their organic structures. Harmless by-products, mainly water, are generated by this chemical reaction.

This technology uses a differential ion generator, comprising a positive and a negative ion generator which can be powered in alternate cycles to control the type of ions generated.

Advocates of the positive and negative ions combination claim that a balance of both these ion types is to be found in places like waterfalls and pristine forests, i.e. this is the real state of the natural environment. In contrast, proponents of negative ions technology insist that negative ions fill natural habitats and that the presence of positive ions is harmful. In this regard, I have yet to find independent scientific studies as evidence for the contradictory claims of both camps.

Ion Generator – Negative Ions

The traditional ionic air purifier produces only negative ions. Apparently, negative ions technology dominates the ionic air purifier market at the moment but Sharp’s plamascluster technology is increasingly proving to be a serious alternative.

It is claimed that nearly all harmful airborne particulates like dust, smoke and bacteria etc have a positive charge. The positive charges are continually attracted to the negative charges of the ions until sheer mass makes them sink to the ground. Regular vacuuming removes these impurities from our environment. Critics of negative ion technology charge that the weighed down particulates are not destroyed and the mere act of walking around the room kicks them back into the air that we breathe.

There appears to be several methods of producing negative ions. This has significance as the various methods result in different by-products, some of which are harmful. These methods include:

(1) Water method – this employs what is known as the waterfall or Lenard Effect. Onto a metal plate that is electrically-charged, water droplets are splashed. The charge splits the water droplets resulting in the production of a large number of negative ions. No harmful by-products result from using the water method to produce ions.

(2) Electron radiation method – this is based on a single negative discharge electrode needle. The simple application of a high voltage pulse to the electrode results in millions of negatively-charged electrons being produced. This method does not result in ozone being produced. It is claimed that this is because a “smaller” energy pulse is applied.

(3) Corona discharge method – this is based on a dual electrode model, a sharp metal electrode and a flat electrode. An extremely high voltage is then applied to the two electrodes. The movement of electrons between the electrodes ionises the air in that same space. An inherent weakness of this method is the production of harmful by-products like ozone and nitride oxide.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)

This technology is commonly applied in a passive mode. In POC, the powerful reactive agent hydroxyl is also the key to the purifying process.

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly shone on a catalyst (usually titanium oxide) to produce hydroxyl, oxygen and peroxide, all of which are potent oxidising agents that are very effective at destroying the organic structure of micro-organisms and gaseous volatile organic compounds.

Comprehensive defence is the key strength of POC technology. Proponents of this technology claim that POC inactivates ALL categories of indoor pollution, including:

(1) airborne particulates i.e. dust, pet dander, plant pollen, sea salts, tobacco smoke, industrial and car pollution, etc

(2) bioaerosols i.e. contagious or infectious biological compounds (e.g. viruses and pathogenic bacteria) or non-infectious and non-contagious (e.g. non-pathogenic bacteria, molds, cell debris)

(3) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. gaseous odours and chemicals – toluene, chloroform, hexane, ethanol, formaldehyde, ethylene etc, all common emissions from everyday products of our modern home.

Critics of POC zoom in on the power effects of hydroxyl, claiming that they cannot differentiate between the organic structures that make up molecular contaminants and our lung tissue, eye cornea or nose membranes.

Electrostatic Filter

This technology appears to have originated in heavy industries which produced abundant pollutants. The typical electrostatic filter ionic air purifier includes two electrodes sandwiching a porous dielectric material. The dielectric material impedes electrical conductivity whilst the electrodes efficiently conduct electricity.

Impure air is drawn into the electrostatic purifier so that it passes over the dielectric material. Electrostatic electricity between the electrodes causes airborne particulates i.e.dust, smoke contaminants, to stick to the surface of the dielectric. Out of the other end of the purifier, cleaned air is recirculated.

Frequently, an ion source is planted just before the electrostatic filter to electrically charge the airborne particulates. Charging the impurities make them adhere more effectively to the dielectric material.

Critics of this technology point to the production of harmful ozone in the ionisation process.

Combo Ionic Air Purifiers

To cater to the various adherents and critics of the diverse technologies, combos incorporate all or some of the above types of technologies. Combos may include:

(1) adsorptive materials such as activated carbon or oxygenated charcoal (known for its extremely porous large surface area) are added to POC technology to enhance the removal of VOCs;

(2) oxidizing catalysts like titanium oxide are coated on various components of all types of air purifiers to enhance VOC elimination;

(3) reducing catalysts such as manganese dioxide are coated near the exit outlets of many air purifiers to reduce reactive species like ozone and nitric oxide which may be harmful;

(4) generating ions by differing methods such as using microwave, UV light, radio frequency waves, and direct current;

(5) tweaking the specifications of any ionic air purifier technology so as to attain the well-known HEPA status without actually using HEPA filters.

Obviously, the process of selecting the most efficient and effective ionic air purifier involves analysing a deluge of information. And I have not even touched on the safety aspects of each technology. I will also be studying in detail the claims of each technology. So before you put your money down for any air purifier in your homes, offices, schools, etc, check back here for updates as I continue my quest for the ideal ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

Ionic air purifiers hold the promise of clean air, purified of all known harmful contaminants that threaten our health. Air is made impure by substances unseen by our naked eye. Invisible ions battling invisible contaminants appears to make perfect sense. I am drawn to this intuitive logic. But these days, finding a simple and quick solution is rare. Googling the subject unearths a ton of controversy. Obviously, I must resist the urge to go by intuition and grab the first ionic air purifier that I lay hands on. Product safety must take precedence over effectiveness in choosing an ionic air purifier.

The recent China melamine saga that killed infants also serves as a reminder to us that in buying into any technology or any product, all claims by manufacturers and distributors must be examined to the fullest extent that our resources permit. This is especially so where the key reactive agent is invisible to the naked eye. Invisible ions of ionic air purifiers fall squarely in this realm.

This article is an overview of existing ionic air purifier technologies in the global marketplace. My back-to-basics approach is an attempt, as a layperson, to understand the science behind the technology. The creation of a powerful invisible defence shield against airborne molecular contaminants is increasingly taking centrestage. The predominant airborne threat being monitored by scientists the world over is the avian flu virus.

Types of Ionic Air Purifier Technologies

Broadly speaking, air purification technologies can be deployed in either passive or active modes. Under passive technology modes, reactive agents are contained in the air purifier whilst impure air is drawn in for cleansing before being pushed back to the environment. Active generally means dispersive processes by which the impure air is penetrated and purified by the reactive agents. Combinations of both passive and active modes are often found in many types of ionic air purifiers.

In the global market today, ionic air purifier technologies include the following categories:

(A) Ion generator – positive and negative ions
(B) Ion generator – negative ions only
(C) Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
(D) Electrostatic filter
(E) Combos

Ion Generator – Positive and Negative Ions

This combination of positive and negative ions appears to show the most promise for the future of ionic air purifier technology. Developed by Japanese ingenuity, Sharp Corporation to be exact, they are known as plasmacluster ions.

Positive and negative plasmacluster ions actively surround harmful bacteria and viruses in a deadly embrace. In so doing, the production of hydroxyl is activated. Known as nature’s detergent, hydroxyl is a powerful reactive species that plucks out hydrogen molecules from the organic structure of these airborne particulates, thereby killing them. The by-products of this chemical reaction, mainly water, are harmless.

This technology uses a differential ion generator, comprising a positive and a negative ion generator which can be powered in alternate cycles to control the type of ions generated.

Advocates of the positive and negative ions combination claim that a balance of both these ion types is to be found in places like waterfalls and pristine forests, i.e. this is the actual state in nature. Adherents of the negative ions technology expound the view that negative ions dominate these natural habitats and that positive ions are harmful. As I progress with my research, I shall be looking for independent scientific studies that support either of these two opposing views.

Ion Generator – Negative Ions

The traditional ionic air purifier produces only negative ions. Currently, this technology dominates market share but it is under serious threat from Sharp’s plasmacluster positive and negative ions technology.

It is claimed that nearly all harmful airborne particulates like dust, smoke and bacteria etc have a positive charge. Negatively charged ions are naturally attracted to these particulates until they sink to the ground by sheer weight. Regular vacuuming removes these impurities from our environment. Weighing down the particulates does nothing to destory them, according to critics, and merely walking on them causes the air to be polluted again.   

Apparently, there are a number of ways to produce negative ions. This has significance as the various methods result in different by-products, some of which are harmful. These methods include:

(1) Water method – this employs what is known as the waterfall or Lenard Effect. Water droplets are splashed onto a metal plate where a small electric charge is applied. The charge splits the water droplets resulting in the production of a large number of negative ions. It is claimed that no harmful by-products are produced by the water method.

(2) Electron radiation method – this is based on a single negative discharge electrode needle. The simple application of a high voltage pulse to the electrode results in millions of negatively-charged electrons being produced. This process does not generate any ozone. This is due to the application of a “smaller” energy pulse.

(3) Corona discharge method – this is based on a dual electrode model, a sharp metal electrode and a flat electrode. An extremely high voltage is then applied to the two electrodes. This causes the movement of electrons between the electrodes thereby ionising the air in between them. This method has been criticised for the production of harmful by-products like ozone and nitride oxide.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)

This technology is commonly applied in a passive mode. In POC, the powerful reactive agent hydroxyl is also the key to the purifying process.

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly shone on a catalyst (usually titanium oxide) to produce hydroxyl, oxygen and peroxide, all of which are potent oxidising agents that are very effective at destroying the organic structure of micro-organisms and gaseous volatile organic compounds.

Complete and comprehensive action is the pillar of POC technology.  Proponents of this technology claim that POC inactivates ALL categories of indoor pollution, including:

(1) airborne particulates i.e. dust, pet dander, plant pollen, sea salts, tobacco smoke, industrial and car pollution, etc

(2) bioaerosols i.e. biological compounds that may be infectious or contagious (e.g. pathogenic bacteria and viruses) or non-infectious and non-contagious (e.g. non-pathogenic bacteria, molds, cell debris)

(3) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. gaseous chemicals or odours – benzene, toluene, chloroform, ethanol, formaldehyde, etc, all common emissions from everyday products of our modern home.

POC technology has been criticised for relying on hydroxyl which are believed to attack with equal tenacity the organic structures that make up molecular contaminants and our lung tissue, nose membranes and eye cornea.

Electrostatic Filter

This technology appears to have originated in heavy industries which produced abundant pollutants. The typical arrangement in an electrostatic filter ionic air purifier comprises a porous dielectric material sandwiched between two electrodes. A dielectric material does not conduct electricity while metallic electrodes are good conductors that transmit or receive electricity.

As impure air is drawn into the electrostatic purifier, it passes through the dielectric material which acts as a sieve. The electrostatic field between the electrodes causes airborne particulates i.e.dust, smoke contaminants, etc, to adhere to the surface of the dielectric. Purified air emerges from the other end of the purifier.

Very often, an ion source is inserted before the electrostatic filter to charge the airborne particulates. Charging the impurities make them adhere more effectively to the dielectric material.

Criticism of electrostatic filter technology focuses on ozone as a by-product, commonly assumed to be produced in all ionisation processes.

Combo Ionic Air Purifiers

To cater to the various adherents and critics of the diverse technologies, combos incorporate all or some of the above types of technologies. Combos may include:

(1) adsorptive materials such as activated carbon or oxygenated charcoal (known for its extremely porous large surface area) are added to POC technology to enhance the removal of VOCs;

(2) oxidizing catalysts like titanium oxide are coated on various components of all types of   air purifiers to enhance VOC elimination;

(3) reducing catalysts such as manganese dioxide are coated near the exit outlets of many air purifiers to reduce reactive species like ozone and nitric oxide which may be harmful;

(4) generating ions by differing methods such as using microwave, UV light, radio frequency waves, and direct current;

(5) tweaking the specifications of any ionic air purifier technology so as to attain the well-known HEPA status without actually using HEPA filters.

Obviously, the process of selecting the most efficient and effective ionic air purifier involves analysing a deluge of information. And I have not even touched on the safety aspects of each technology. Nor have I studied in detail the claims of each technology. It is natural to want to quickly want something that promises to improve the air quality in your homes, offices, factories, schools etc. But I urge you to do your homework and check back here for updates as I continue to look for the ideal ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

Every now and then, the press reminds us that bird flu is the prime suspect to cause mankind’s next pandemic. Pandemic sounds terrifying. It is. That’s when a highly contagious virus goes global, in a very negative sense. History records for us that 50 million people may have died during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic! That deadly killer flu was confirmed on 5 October 2005 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be caused by H1N1, a bird flu virus.

Do I have your attention now? Is it time to PANIC?

Not now. WHO statistics (updated up to 10 Sep 2008) tracing back to 1996 when the H5N1 virus first surfaced in China shows a relatively low death toll of 245. So what’s the fuss? The greatest nightmare for scientists monitoring the bird flu virus is to see it attain human-to-human transmission capability. Currently, there has been only one probable case of human-to-human transmission recorded in Thailand in September 2004. If indeed the much-feared virus mutation takes place, you can expect pandemonium on a global scale.

Countries around the globe are conscientiously preparing for the worse (more on this in a later post). At the individual level, we should start making preparations too.

Ok, so what’s all this got to do with Sharp’s ionic air purifier. Is it not just another ordinary ionic air purifier? It is ordinary in that it performs the usual functions of the run-of-the-mill air purifier by getting rid of dust, dirt, smoke, dander, pollen, cuisine and pet odours, pollutants, allergens etc. But if we can get protection from all these and more in one ionic air purifier, especially one that is a tested defense shield against a potentially deadly virus, why not? And that is precisely what Sharp is telling us; get the whole package with their Plasmacluster Ion Technology.

If you’re value-conscious like me, the obvious question would be “yes, that makes a whole lot of sense but at what cost”? Sharp claims that it’s at no extra cost! Sharp contends that it is cheaper than any other ordinary ionic air purifier when measured over 5 years. Value for money grabs my attention anytime! How is it possible in this nothing-is-for-free world?

With the Plasmacluster Ionic Air Purifier Model FP-N40CX as the basis, Sharp contends that it is great value for money as there is no filter replacement costs for the first 5 years. At US$399, the Sharp model compares favourably against a typical competitor’s ionic air purifier that may cost US$160 upfront but over 5 years cost a total of US$560 due to annual filter replacement costs of US$100 each.

Any feedback on the competitor numbers would be greatly appreciated. Please drop me a note if you have actual experience.

Meanwhile, I’m going to seriously investigate this Sharp Plasmacluster IonTechnology. The time to research is now, while bird flu is still not quite at pandemic proportions.

Don’t procrastinate. Fear etches itself deep in my psyche. I remember my family, along with thousands of other frantic people, scrambling around town looking for the much-touted N95 face mask when the last near-pandemic scare took place in Asia. For those of you who did not hear of it, it was the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus that hit 8,096 people around the world and resulted in 774 fatalities. Being well prepared is half the battle won.

Watch this space as we track exciting developments in our pursuit of safe, pure and clean air with nothing more than an ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.

With increasing regularity, the press reminds us that bird flu is the prime suspect to cause mankind’s next pandemic. Pandemic sounds terrifying. It is. That’s when a highly contagious virus goes global, in a very negative sense. The worst pandemic on record was the Spanish flu in 1918 which is believed to have killed 50 million people worldwide! That was blamed on the H1N1 virus which was only recently confirmed on 5 October 2005 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be a bird flu virus.

Is your heart pounding away? Is it time to PANIC?

Not now. WHO statistics (updated up to 10 Sep 2008) tracing back to 1996 when the H5N1 virus first surfaced in China shows a relatively low death toll of 245. So what’s the fuss? A bird flu virus that attains human-to-human transmission capability is the ultimate horror of the scientific community. Currently, there has been only one probable case of human-to-human transmission recorded in Thailand in September 2004. But if (it seems the virus has not reached the “when” stage) the dreaded virus mutation takes place, you can expect pandemonium on a global scale.

With increasing momentum. many countries are conscientiously preparing for the worse (more on this in a later post). At the individual level, we should start making preparations too.

Ok, so what has the Sharp ionic air purifier to do with all this. Is it not just another ionic air purifier? Yes, it’s ordinary in that it takes care of the usual stuff that we look for in an air purifier – dust, dirt, smoke, dander, pollen, cuisine and pet odours, pollutants, allergens etc. If there is really a tested defence shield against a deadly virus, why not? The complete package is promised in Sharp’s Plasmacluster Ion Air Purifier.

The next obvious question for the value-conscious, would be “yes, that makes a whole lot of sense but at what cost”? Sharp claims that it’s at no extra cost! Sharp contends that over a 5-year period, it is cheaper than any other competing ionic air purifier. Hey, that’s great value for money! How is it possible in this nothing-is-for-free world?

In promoting the Plasmacluster Ionic Air Purifier Model FP-N40CX, Sharp contends that it is definitely better value for money as there is no filter replacement costs for the first 5 years. At US$399, the Sharp model compares favourably against a typical competitor’s ionic air purifier that may cost US$160 upfront but over 5 years cost a total of US$560 due to annual filter replacement costs of US$100 each.

Since I have only started on this study, I would greatly appreciate any feedback on the numbers quoted by Sharp. Just email me if you have actual numbers.

Meanwhile, I’m going to scrutinise intently the Sharp Plasmacluster Ion Technology. The time to research is now, while bird flu is still not quite at pandemic proportions.

Its never too soon to get ready. Believe me, I have seen it. I remember my family, along with thousands of other frantic people, scrambling around town looking for the much-touted N95 face mask when the last near-pandemic scare took place in Asia. The year was 2003. SARS was a much dreaded acronym. The SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus started spreading in Asia and infected 8,096 people around the world, resulting in 774 fatalities. We all know that being well prepared is half the battle won.

Watch this space as we track exciting developments in our pursuit of safe, pure and clean air with nothing more than an ionic air purifier.

To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.