by sthottingal on 12/29/19, 5:10 AM with 39 comments
by Someone1234 on 12/29/19, 6:50 AM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_ioniser#Adverse_health_eff...
Personally I don't see the benefit over a HEPA filter on a standard electrical fan, or a commercial unit with a similar design. Yes, replacing filters is annoying/has a cost, but there's no health downsides to the design and it is effective at removing air particulate. Building one requires an off the shelf HEPA filter, an off the shelf fan, and a couple of rubber bands. It isn't "sexy" or technically sophisticated, but it works. Want it improve effectiveness? Increase the surface area/make it bigger/increase the airflow.
Let's also consider what both devices (when working correctly) do. An Ioniser gives particulate a charge causing it to be attracted to and stick on surfaces. A HEPA traps particulate within a filter membrane. Or to phase that differently an Ioniser causes the particulate to dust onto every surface within range, causing dirt buildup/stains, dust blooms when disturbs, and people may still contact the air contaminants (since they still exist, now on surface rather than in the air). HEPA allows you to simply remove the particulate from the environment, Ionisers just move it from one location (air) to another (surface).
by amluto on 12/29/19, 8:40 AM
An ionizer doesn’t need maintenance, but that’s because it deposits all the gunk nearby. Eww.
by m0xte on 12/29/19, 10:09 AM
by userbinator on 12/29/19, 6:14 AM
by joecool1029 on 12/29/19, 5:49 AM
by ncmncm on 12/29/19, 7:12 AM
You will be able to smell if you are producing ozone, which you don't want unless you like permanent lung damage. The smell is sharp. like around electric sparks. If you get that, the voltage is too high. Just leave off a few voltage stages.
by jvanderbot on 12/29/19, 1:03 PM
by fortran77 on 12/29/19, 2:11 PM
Also, the health claims of ionizers are dubious. False claims about them (and ozone) bankrupted The Sharper Image
by amelius on 12/29/19, 5:12 PM
That's a good one, thanks!
by eeZah7Ux on 12/29/19, 2:22 PM
However - DON'T DO IT. Many ionizers generate ozone which is unhealthy.
Also if the goal was merely to combat dust settling on the floor (rather that health), it will only make the problem worse.
by Tempest1981 on 12/29/19, 5:17 PM
Still a small cost ($0.52/yr in the US)
by tomaszs on 12/29/19, 8:59 PM
by willis936 on 12/29/19, 11:42 AM