Discover Negative and Positive Ions in Nature, Just Like Those Produced Through Bipolar Ionization Technology

The next time you’re chasing waterfalls, take a moment for a quick mood check. Chances are, simply being in the presence of these natural showers can evoke a sense of calm, brighten our outlook, and help us feel better overall.  

The positive effect of this natural therapy could be attributed to several factors such as the beautiful surroundings, the soothing sounds of rushing water … and an abundance of ions. 

We may not think of ions as good-vibe producers, but these naturally occurring particles found in atoms and molecules surround us daily even though we cannot see them. Typically, the closer you are to nature, the greater the number of atmospheric ions. 

Minnehaha Falls Ion Test - Mist from falls is present in video, which contains high amounts of ions. A shower has the same effect.

St. Paul, MN - Near ISO-Aire™ Offices

For example, in St. Paul, Minn. near to ISO-Aire™ offices, our ion meter calculated 210 ions per cubic centimeter. Ion levels in densely populated urban areas tend to be lower because of airborne pollution and contaminants.

Heading to the countryside, away from city pollution and congestion, our air ion counter increased on average 500 to 900. Let’s say you were outdoors during a lightning storm, that number would increase again as bolts of electricity emit additional air ions. Another naturally occurring source of energetic ions results from cosmic rays that reach the earth.

Countryside in a Minnesota field

Standing next to a waterfall ions increased substantially, ranging between 4,000-5,000. The reason being, as water droplets are emitted, they crash into each other and onto the surrounding area. An electrified spray from the molecules saturates the air which results in an increased number of ions. Crashing waves also release a high number of atmospheric ions. 

These tiny, charged particles fill indoor spaces, too, but often there are far fewer naturally occurring air ions inside buildings, schools, and homes. This is due to a lack of fresh air being brought into the building envelope resulting in a continuous recirculation of stale air. 

However, a proven technology – ozone-free bipolar ionization – purposefully adds positive and negative ions to a room, office building or airplane and effectively works to purify the air. This indoor air filtration method has been popular in Europe since the 1970s.

Ozone-free bipolar ionization involves a high-tech component that splits molecules in the air into positive and negatively charged ions. As these ions are dispatched into a space, they actively cluster around airborne particles like mold, viruses, bacteria, and even allergens like pollen. The ions ultimately help to make these particles bigger through clustering , which helps drop them to the floor and away from the air we breathe. The ions also physically affect viruses and other germs. In the case of viruses, ions affect the molecular structure of the protein coat that is a key part of the infection process. With the proteins altered, they cannot infect our cells, and thus cannot make us ill. Ionization is also effective in reducing odors from pets, VOCs, and smoke. 

Considerations When Choosing Bipolar Ionization

Negative and Positive Ion Waterfall Test in Denver, Colorado

Despite the success seen with bipolar ionization, there are several considerations that need to be taken into account when selecting a device. First, ions have a very brief lifespan, making it critical for proper placement. Installing bipolar ionization into existing ductwork is not very effective because the ions only last 60 seconds, therefore never making it to the rooms you desire to be cleaned because by the time they are channeled through the duct or air vent their lifespan has expired and they are no longer effective in destroying potentially harmful pollutants. The best solution for this is placement within a portable air purifier that can then immediately distribute the ions into the desired space. A second important consideration is that your bipolar ionization device should be UL2998 certified for ozone-free. Ozone causes damage to our respiratory systems and should not be breathed in at certain levels.

Portable Air Purifiers Equipped with a HEPA Filter & Ozone-free Bipolar Ionization

ISO-Aire offers a diverse line of low-maintenance, cost-effective, and quiet air purifiers equipped with a 99.99% HEPA filter and optional ozone-free bipolar ionization and/or UVC sterilization. Our elite commercial-grade air purifiers are incredibly effective at cleaning the air and have an unmatched lifespan of over 20 years. The bipolar ionization devices utilized in our purifiers are UL2998 certified, giving you a powerful cleaning technology without any of the worry over ozone emission. Our air purifiers are used in schools, offices, hospitals, fitness facilities, and residences. Interested in learning more? Contact us at 651-265-0605 or at info@iso-aire.com.