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Do negative ions kill viruses1/11/2024 ![]() However, the study finds that the air purifier marketplace is fraught with inadequate test standards, confusing terminology, and a lack of peer-reviewed studies of their effectiveness and safety. Understandably, the “virus-killing” capability has drawn attention and been heavily featured in advertising over the past year and led to a flood of new and revamped products on the market. One of the most popular types of air purifiers on the market right now are ion-generating systems, including “bipolar ionization” devices that electrically charge particles so they settle out of the air faster, and are generally marketed to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. “We should have a much better understanding of these effects before widespread use of these types of devices,” said Farmer, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and an expert in outdoor and indoor atmospheric chemistry. The study, published in Building and Environment, mimicked real-world operating conditions for these ionization devices to test the effectiveness and potential to form chemical byproducts in environments similar to where we all live, work, and learn. According to the EPA, exposure to VOCs has been linked to a range of health effects from eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination and nausea, to damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system, and some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. ![]() Farmer’s co- authors are from Illinois Institute of Technology and Portland State University.īoth chamber and field tests found that an ionizing device led to a decrease in some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) xylenes, but an increase in others, most prominently oxygenated VOCs (e.g., acetone, ethanol) and toluene, substances commonly found in paints, paint strippers, aerosol sprays and pesticides. The study, co-led by Colorado State University chemist Delphine Farmer, found that cleaning up one harmful air pollutant can create a suite of others. ![]() The market for air purifiers is booming, but a new study has found that some air cleaning technologies marketed for COVID-19 may be ineffective and have unintended health consequences. in a 7.45m 2 (80 ft 2) box after 24 hours running.Written by Petra Kelly at Illinois Institute of Technology Measured by a flat type ion counter and our measurement method. *7 Room temperature 23C, Humidity 30% R.H. Measured by a double coaxial cylinder type ion counter and our measurement method. *6 Room temperature 23C, Humidity 30% R.H. *5 Varies depending on the structure of the room, nearby electronic appliances, purification level of air, etc.
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