Myths

Myths

Clean Air technology and solution providers have a lot of tall tales they tell. We’ll keep this section updated with the latest myths along with the facts we’ve been able to gather about the reality of the situation. Enjoy.

  • Did Albert Einstein develop ionization technology?

    The story is that Einstein's sister, Maria "Maja" Einstein, developed tuberculosis in the early 1900s.  The treatment at the time was to live at high altitudes, specifically the Swiss mountains for Maja, in order to be able to breathe better.  Einstein wanted to understand the difference in the air at higher and lower altitudes in order to help Maja live near the beach with him.  Einstein, along with Conrad Habicht, invented the "potential multiplicator"; in one version of the story this is used to measure ions in the air, in the other version of the story, it formed the basis of the ionization air purification technology.  In truth, Einstein's sister never had tuberculosis.  She died from arteriosclerosis in the United States after suffering a stroke and becoming bedridden four years earlier.  The actual use of the potential multiplicator is difficult to deduce, as the paper it is referenced in cannot be accessed.

  • Does ionization help cure Cancer?

    There are no peer-reviewed scientific articles, reports, or studies that investigate the effect ionization has on Cancer or most other diseases.  Ionization technologies have been developed to be used in medical purposes with regards to treating infections; however, Aerisa technology is not suited for that type of use.

  • If I have an ionizer in my house, will I ever have to dust again?

    Ionization does help remove particles from the air, resulting in cleaner air; however, these dust particles do not disappear.  Instead, ions attract and attach to particles in the air, increasing the particle's weight and causing the particles to drop out of the air onto surfaces.  Some ionizers claim to trap the particles in their units; this is possible, and to some extent, true when they use a charged surface as a collector plate; however, the entire volume of air in the room/building would need to pass through the units for the particles to become trapped in the units.  Most stand-alone units do not have strong enough fans to accomplish this to any extent.

  • Does ionization create ozone?

    Ozone occurs naturally in the air.  Ozone in the stratosphere is beneficial by creating a layer that protects the earth from harmful radiation from the sun.  Ozone is produced through various processes near the earth's surface, as well.  Ozone at breathing levels, however, can be harmful to humans and animals above certain concentration levels.  Ionization can create ozone, so it must be controlled properly to ensure levels remain below normal ambient ozone levels.  Aerisa systems are configured with sensors and feedback controls to ensure ozone levels never exceed ambient and safe standards, according to the proper regulations and safety protocols set by local and national organizations.

  • I heard that some air purifiers create only negative ions, while others create both.  Which is better?

    Ionization technology creates both positive and negative ions through plasma generation.  Plasma consists of localized areas of positive and negative charges, composed of ions created by losing or gaining electrons from one another.  Because matter cannot be created nor destroyed, one would need an actual electron source to create only negative ions.  Positive and negative ions will both react with substances in the air and with each other during their lifetime.  The overall benefit from these reactions is a cleaner and fresher air with fewer odors.  An unequal number of positive and negative ions may exist in the air due to reactions that have occurred.

  • I heard that positive ions are harmful and negative ions can improve moods, cure disease and increase energies.  Is this true?

    Both positive and negative ions exist naturally in the air.  Ions can be generated by natural sources such as sunlight, UV light, radiation, wind, and lightening.  Levels of ions indoors and outdoors are influenced by environmental factors such as altitude, geographic features (mountains, oceans), pollution, and electrical equipment, to name a few.  There have been numerous investigations into the biological effects that ions, both positive and negative, have on microorganisms, animals, and humans.  Many of the studies were poorly constructed; while others show a possible relationship between ions and physiological outcomes, without a definitive causal link.  In other words, there are no definitive associations between ion charge and moods, disease, or energy levels.

ASHRAEASHRAE 62 Compliant
Learn More

Copyright 2010 © Aerisa. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map