Negative Ions: A Healthcare Miracle?

The Air Force uses them in the cockpits of jet fighters to enhance a pilot’s performance; they are used by allergy sufferers to minimize discomfort levels; smokers employ them to clear the air of unpleasant odors; and still others use them for simply providing some of the freshest air imaginable. We’re talking about ionic air purifiers, and in particular, those using electrostatic collector plates in combination with negative ion generators.

A Brief Primer On Ionizers

Recent commercials bombarding our senses “introduced” ionizers to America in the same manner as the old “Blue Blocker” campaign of long ago. Based on all the hoopla, one would be led to believe ionizers are on the cutting edge in a new frontier of healthcare.

Not true! The positive effects of negative ions, and the negative effects of positive ions has been the subject of numerous research investigations for at least 50 years. Ionizers themselves, have been around for at least 25 years. Unfortunately, early models were designed around inadequate research and an anomaly called “Black Wall” resulted from their use, giving them a well deserved “black eye!”

For most however, ions, ionic cleaners, and negative ion generators remain as mysterious as the way Postal authorities can lose mail for over thirty years only to suddenly reappear. So let’s begin unmasking the mysterious arena of ionic air purification by gaining a basic understanding of ions themselves.

What Exactly Is An Ion?

The air around us is primarily composed of Oxygen and Nitrogen molecules. Normally, these UNCHARGED molecules simply co-exist in the surrounding atmosphere. Occasionally however, collisions between molecules cause one to gain an electron at another’s expense, resulting in two oppositely CHARGED molecules. These charged molecules are referred to as ions.

Collisions aren’t the only thing which can cause a molecule to gain or lose an electrons. Friction, lightening, and many other environmental variables can modify a molecule’s structure.

Nature generally produces 4000 negative and 5000 positive ions in each cubic centimeter of air. However this 4:5 ratio can, and does change frequently. For example, ionic measurements taken in the vicinity of a busy expressway, in the midst of a sand or dust storm, before a thunderstorm, or in atmospherically inverted areas show an abnormally high number of positive ions. Extensive studies have shown these positively charged molecules, or positive ions, contribute to depression, anxiety, and feelings of ill being. This has resulted in positive ions being referred to as the “Bad Ions.”

On the other hand, ionic measurements taken at the seashore, high in the mountains, in the forests, or in areas immediately after a thunderstorm, show an extraordinarily high level of negatively charged molecules, or negative ions. Extensive studies have correlated high performance, feelings of well being, mental awareness, and mental alertness to exposures of high levels of negative ions. In fact, the U.S. Air Force has reportedly placed negative ion generators in the cockpits of jet fighters to enhance the pilot’s mental acuity. Negative ions are generally called the “Good Ions” and are sometimes referred to as “Vitamins of the Air.”

Bad Ions - Good Ions? Come on, You’re Pulling My Leg!

No one’s pulling anyone’s leg! For the past 50+ years, researchers have authored over 700 studies documenting the positive effects of negative ions, effects which include improving human health as well as increasing mental clarity, alertness, and recall.

The same studies have documented the negative effects of positive ions. These include depression, anxiety, mental “cloudiness,” and a proclivity to be easily distracted.

Positive health impacts aren’t the only good coming out of negative ions. Their negative charge is naturally attracted to the positive charge of those nasty, dirty, pollen and bacteria carrying positive ions. Upon collision, the two oppositely charged ions bond to each other and their combined weight causes them to fall harmlessly to the floor, just waiting to be picked up by your vacuum cleaner.

If They’re So Good, Can’t We Just Force Negative Ions Into The Atmosphere?

A few years ago, an advertisement for a butter substitute intoned “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” On a similar token, scientists are constantly reminding us it’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature. You don’t just start shooting negative ions into the atmosphere without understanding the ramifications. Until scientists determine the “whys and wherefores” of the 4:5 negative-positive ionic balance found in Nature, we will all be better served if we just sit back and relax. But we can do something about negative ions in our homes, offices, and vehicles in much the same way we control our internal temperature and humidity environments. We can enhance it with negative ion generators.

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