Ioniser: how it works and its health effects

A person breathes on average twelve to fifteen times per minute. With every inhalation, air flows through the nose or mouth into the airways and then into the lungs. The composition and purity of the air we breathe have a direct impact on our health. Various studies show that indoor air often contains substances that can be harmful, including fine dust and ultrafine particles.

Fine dust consists of airborne particles smaller than ten micrometers in diameter. These particles can easily be inhaled. The smaller the particles, the higher the health risk. Particles with a diameter smaller than two point five micrometers can penetrate deep into the alveoli and may contribute to conditions affecting the heart, blood vessels and lungs. Young children, the elderly and people with existing respiratory issues are particularly susceptible. Fine dust is produced during everyday activities inside the home. Research shows that frying meat and cooking at high temperatures release high concentrations of fine dust. Since people spend about ninety percent of their time indoors, it is important to actively remove these particles.

Progenion air purifiers remove harmful substances from the air. Through ionisation, negative ions are added to the air. These ions attach to polluted particles, causing them to cluster together so they can be filtered more easily. As a result, the air becomes cleaner and healthier to breathe. Research suggests that negative ions may also contribute to improved wellbeing and mental alertness.

What does an ioniser do and what is the role of negative ions

An ioniser is a technology that adds negative ions to the surrounding air. Negative ions are molecules that have gained an extra electron and therefore carry an electrical charge. In natural environments with a lot of moving air or water, such as coastal areas, waterfalls and mountain regions, these ions are present in high concentrations. They are created by sunlight, natural radiation and the breaking of water droplets in the air.

When negative ions attach themselves to particles such as fine dust, pollen, bacteria or mould spores, these particles become heavier. As a result, they settle more easily or can be removed through filtration. This contributes to a higher level of indoor air purity. Indoor spaces generally contain significantly fewer negative ions than outdoor environments, especially in buildings with limited ventilation

What are negative ions and why are they important

Scientific literature also discusses the possible influence of negative ions on psychological wellbeing. Researcher Michael Terman, PhD, from Columbia University in New York, studied the effects of negative ions on people with depressive symptoms. His study described that some participants felt less gloomy and that negative ions showed partly similar effects to antidepressants, but without pharmacological side effects. These findings are promising, although additional research is needed to further confirm the exact mechanism.

An air purifier with ionisation mimics this natural process and can therefore contribute to cleaner air as well as an improved sense of comfort indoors.

How does an ioniser clean the air? The science behind air purificatio

All particles in the air carry either a positive or a negative charge. Negative ions are attracted to dust particles. When the air contains a high concentration of negative ions, they will bind to other airborne particles. This causes the positively charged dust particle to become heavier and fall to the ground. As a result, we inhale fewer harmful particles. In this way, the process can help prevent respiratory issues and related health problems.

Once a particle has settled, it is usually removed during vacuuming or dusting. If vacuuming stirs up a few particles into the air again, they will once more be charged by the negative ions and fall back down.

In nature, sunlight, lightning, sea waves and waterfalls all generate negative ions. In indoor environments, it is often ionisers that take over this natural process.

What is the effect of an ioniser on health

Biological scientists have shown that negative oxygen ions in the air we breathe are very important for metabolism. With the help of oxygen, the body breaks down nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates and proteins into carbon dioxide and water. Because inhaling ionised air increases the concentration of oxygen in the blood, the organs and cellular metabolism function more efficiently. However, oxygen is only biologically active when it carries a negative charge.

How do negative ions affect the body and metabolism

Electrically charged plastic surfaces, household dust and electrical devices are major destroyers of ions. A shortage of negative oxygen ions can cause many people to experience nervousness, low mood or fatigue, as well as disturbed sleep or reduced psychological or physical resilience. Reducing these ion destroying sources and ventilating properly are effective ways to keep the indoor air healthy.

Scientific research shows that enriching the air with negative ions has a positive effect on the human body. Studies indicate that immunity is strengthened, concentration improves and overall wellbeing increases. When the balance of ions is disturbed, for example when the air contains too many positive oxygen ions during a change in weather, people tend to feel unwell. Common symptoms include a dry throat, blocked nose, flu like feelings, fatigue, sleep issues, headaches and similar complaints.

What do negative ions do

All particles in the air carry either a positive or a negative charge. Negative ions have the ability to attract dust particles. This causes the positively charged particle to become heavier and fall to the ground. The process results in cleaner air and helps prevent respiratory issues and other health problems.

Once the particle has settled, it can easily be removed during vacuuming. If vacuuming stirs some particles back into the air, they will once again be charged by the negative ions and the process will repeat itself.

Why choose an air purifier with an ioniser

Our surroundings are becoming increasingly crowded and therefore more polluted. As a result, more people are developing respiratory issues and fresh, clean air is no longer guaranteed. Ionisers offer an effective and safe solution. In urban areas, as well as near busy roads and industrial zones, they provide significant benefits.

They are also valuable for people living in rural areas or near parks, where large amounts of pollen and airborne plant particles circulate. Air purifiers with ionisation technology or humidifiers with an ioniser can offer relief for people with asthma, hay fever or allergic conditions.

Benefits of increased negative ions in the air

Increasing the amount of negative ions in the air offers several advantages:

• the indoor air becomes cleaner and therefore healthier
• the body’s immunity improves
• fewer allergies caused by inhaling dust and other allergens
• fewer issues related to anxiety and low mood
• reduced illness

Functioning at your best with the help of an ioniser

No matter how clean your home looks or how often you vacuum, microscopic particles will always remain floating in the air. This is why ionisation is important, including for addressing bacteria in the atmosphere. By ionising the air with negatively charged ions, the air becomes cleaner and your body can absorb oxygen more easily. Breathing becomes easier because less histamine is released in the airways. This natural substance is part of the body’s defence system. Histamine triggers coughing, which is a protective reaction. The cleaner the air, the less coughing occurs.

Because air purifiers with an ioniser effectively neutralise pollen, fine dust and dust mites, this technology offers significant relief for people with hay fever or other allergies. Breathing freely and comfortably becomes possible again.

Unpleasant odors disappear with an ioniser

During the ionisation process, the air is filtered by the Progenion air purifier to combat pollution and harmful substances. This includes dust mites and pollen, but also unpleasant tobacco smoke or pet related odors. Through ionisation combined with air purification, your living room, bedroom, office and even the basement or hobby room are continuously supplied with clean and fresh air.