Ionization and Air Quality - A Technological Study

Read the original study here (pdf).

Ionized air molecules make up more than a very small percentage of the atmosphere.
However, despite their small numbers, these molecules play a profound role in
maintaining the health of the atmosphere by removing particulate and chemical
pollutants. In the indoor environment, ionization provides an even wider spectrum of
benefits, including the destruction of bacteria and elimination of odors. However,
conventional construction and ventilation techniques tend to negate the benefits of
ionization. This problem can be mitigated by technology designed to augment the
ionization of indoor air.

Natural Sources of Atmospheric Ionization
A small number of natural processes contribute a constant supply of ionization to our
atmosphere. These natural sources of ionization include (1) the effects of radiation, (2)
effects of the earth's electric field, (3) the movements of wind, and (4) the splashing of
water (Lenard Effect).

The decay of naturally occurring terrestrial radioactive materials; radiation from the sun
and cosmic radiation, all cause ionization in the atmosphere by stripping electrons from
air molecules. The molecules effected in this way become positive ions due to the loss of
electrons. The free electrons immediately get picked up by the surrounding neutral
molecules, which thus become negative ions (Sulman, p. 102).

The electric field of the earth causes ionized molecules to gain kinetic energy as they move along the 400,000-volt gradient that exists between the ionosphere and the surface of the earth. When a fast moving ion collides with a neutral molecule, the neutral molecule loses one or more electrons. The loss of electrons causes the neutral molecule to become a positive ion. The electrons knocked free during the collision are immediately picked up by surrounding neutral molecules; resulting in new negative ions (Jokl, p. 268).

Winds and weather are a large source of ionization. The movement of weather fronts
produces great amounts of ionization through friction. Air masses moving against the
earth, or against other air masses cause a transfer of electrons, and thus ionization
(Sulman, p. 245).

Falling water also produces ionization. Whenever water droplets collide forcefully, small
particles separate from the water surface carrying a negative charge into the atmosphere.
The larger water droplets and the main body of water become positively charged. This
phenomenon, named after its discoverer, is called the Lenard Effect (Jokl, p. 278).

All sources of ionization have the effect of electrifying the atmosphere. The electrical
charge of the atmosphere at any location on the earth's surface (aside from human factors) depends upon the productivity of these natural sources of ionization. The prevalence of either negative or positive ionization in any location will have an impact on the health of the animals, plants, and humans living in the area.

Falling water produces ionization. Photo: The High Fin Sperm Whale

Effects of Negative Air Ionization
Anecdotal evidence for the helpful effects of ionization extend as far back as the 18th
century. According to Krueger, more than two centuries ago Father Giambattista
Beccaria of the University of Turin observed, "It appears manifest that nature makes
extensive use of atmospheric electricity for promoting vegetation." And I'abbe Bertholon
suggested the idea that "electricity in the air influences the state of health and the cause of disease in animal and man" (Krueger, p. 2)

In the second half of the 20th century studies began to appear specifically stating the
helpful biological effects of negative air ions. According to Pogrund (Sulman, p. 165),
the reported physiological effects of negative air ionization include:

1. Decreased respiratory rate
2. Decreased basal metabolic rate
3. Decreased blood pressure
4. Produced a feeling of well being
5. Increased vital capacity
6. Decreased skin temperature
7. Acceleration of the conversion of succinate to fumerate
8. Stimulation of cytochrome
9. Decreased eosinophilia and lymphocyte count
10. Increased CO2 combing power of plasma
11. Decreased blood sedimentation rate
12. Decreased muscle chronaxie
13. Increased ciliary activity
14. Increased frequency of mitosis
15. Increased resistance to infection
16. Suggested as therapy in chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine, insomnia, tuberculosis, wound and burn healing, asthma, hay fever, emphysema, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chlorine gas poisoning, preventing thromboembolism.

In studies conducted by the Air Ion Research Laboratory at the University of California,
evidence show that negative air ions kill many forms of molds and bacteria. The
microorganisms eliminated by negative ionization include those that cause cholera and
typhoid fever (Krueger, p. 4).

Negative ionization also appears to promote plant growth and shorten the time required
for some plants to reach maturity. Reduction of negative ions is reported to decrease
growth rates and cause the same plants to droop (Krueger, p. 4).

There is an established link between negative air ionization and the fluctuation of
seratonin levels in humans and animals. Among other functions, seratonin causes the
smooth muscles of the respiratory system to contract (Jokl, p. 238, Sulman, p. 162).
Negative ionization has been shown to decrease seratonin; however, positive ionization
increases seratonin levels (Kreuger, p. 5).

Negative ionization also has the effect of cleaning the atmosphere by removing
particulate and chemical pollutants. As negative ions move through the air, they convey
their electrical charge to dust, smoke, and water particles. The negative charge causes
these particles to clump together and eventually drop to the ground (Sulman, p. 245).

The mechanism by which negative ions break down chemical pollutants is slightly more
complex. The principle at work is summarized by the following maxim found in basic
chemistry textbooks, "Negative ionization will reduce hydrocarbons and their derivatives
to the common denominators of water, carbon dioxide, and any metal oxide." For
example, when formaldehyde (CH2O) is exposed to negatively ionized oxygen
molecules, it initially breaks down into water (H2O) and carbon monoxide (CO). With
continued exposure to the negative oxygen ions the carbon monoxide (CO) becomes
further oxidized, transforming it into carbon dioxide (CO2).

This characteristic of negative ionization is also responsible for the added benefit it
provides of elimination of odors. Odors result from the presence of particular molecules
in sufficient number to reach the threshold of human olfactory sensation. As described
above, negative ionization breaks down "hydrocarbons and their derivatives." Most odorcausing molecules fall into this category.

Effects of Positive Air Ionization
Whereas negative ionization is generally considered to be beneficial, positive air ions
appear to cause harmful effects (Sulman, p. 160). According to Pogrund (Sulman, p.
165), the reported physiological effects of positive air ionization include:

1. Inhibition of growth of tissue cell cultures
2. Increased respiratory rate
3. Increased basal metabolism
4. Increased blood pressure
5. Produced headache, fatigue, nausea
6. Produced nasal obstructions, sore throat, dizziness
7. Increased skin temperatures
8. Depressed rate of ciliary activity
9. Increased muscle chronaxie
10. Altered alpha wave of the EEG
11. Reduced succinic oxidase activity in the adrenals
12. Increased the blood level of 5-hydroxytryptamine

When positively ionized oxygen molecules are inhaled they have a very strong effect on
lung function. Positively charged oxygen ions cause a reduction in respiratory capacity,
which results in diminished resistance to stress and reduced mental ability (Sulman, p.
339).

Positive ionization in the atmosphere results in part from the collisions of normal air
molecules with dust particles and by friction between different cloud layers. Positive ionization always precedes certain types of weather fronts by one or two days, because
electricity moves faster than the weather that generates it (Sulman, p. 339).

The problems of positive ionization are also associated with the phenomena known as
"evil winds" such as the sharav in Israel, the foehn in Europe, and the Santa Ana winds in
southern California (Sulman, p. 341). Effects associated with these winds include stress
reaction, thyroid problems, breathing difficulties, disrupted biorhythms, and an increase
in aches and pains (Sulman, p. 144).

People who are especially sensitive to weather suffer the most from the effects of positive
ionization in the atmosphere. Weather-sensitive people comprise approximately 30% of
the general population.

In addition to the effects of wind and weather, positive ionization also dominates under
conditions of foggy and/or polluted air. Particulate suspended in the air usually carries a
positive charge. Stagnant, hot, summertime air in the vicinity of large cities can produce a
"degree of static foehn", which brings the same unhealthful effects as any other large
source of positive air ionization (Sulman, p. 341).

Ionization and the Indoor Environment
The acceptable minimum concentration of negative ions for indoor air is 200-300 ions
per cm3. The optimal level is 1000-1500 negative ions per cm3 (Jokl, p. 289). However,
the reality is that the concentration of negative ionization in the outdoor air is sometimes
far below this acceptable minimal value, especially in cities. The situation is worsened by
the fact that many characteristics of the indoor environment have the effect of reducing
the amount of naturally available ionization.

The walls of buildings tend to decrease and even eliminate the normal atmospheric
ionization. Walls constructed using wood or brick cause only a small reduction in
atmospheric ionization. However, walls made of steel or of iron and concrete, create a
Faraday cage effect around the enclosed space, shielding the interior from the outside
ionization (Jokl, p. 274). As discussed earlier, ionized air molecules will help eliminate
chemical adn particulate pollutants from the indoor air, however, the greater the volume
of pollutants the more the ionization is reduced.

Ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems also reduce air ionization. The effect of
propelling air through metal ducts reduces negative ionization at a loss of 20% every two
meters (Jokl, p. 276). This process also produces a lot of positive ions. These effects are
made worse with drier air and warmer ducts (Sulman, p. 105).

Human occupancy further diminishes the supply of negative ionization in indoor air.
Human activities introduce particulate and chemical pollutants, as well as microbes to the
indoor environment. Additionally, all sources of fire (even the burning of natural gas)
(Sulman, p. 106), and especially cigarette smoking (Jokl, p. 276), directly add large
quantities of positive ions to the indoor air.

Together, these indoor environmental factors contribute not only toward a decrease in the
naturally available negative ionization, but at the same time significantly increase the
pollutants, microbes, and odors present in the enclosed atmosphere.

A solution that addresses all these problems is technology designed to augment the
negative ionization in the air. Such devices have existed since the early part of the 20th
century, however, not without two bothersome side effects.

The most troubling side-effect of many machines designed to create negative ions is that
they also create ozone (O3). Although small amounts of ozone occur naturally in the
atmosphere, in sufficient quantity its effects are toxic to humans (Sulman, p. 106).

RC Enterprises of Chico, California has designed, patented, and produces devices which
generate negatively ionized oxygen molecules while avoiding the problems of creating
ozone or plating the wall with dirt. The solution utilizes electrical fields to generate a
low-energy stream of electrons while a steady flow of air passes perpendicular to the
orientation of the electric field. A portion of the passing air molecules pick up electrons
as they move across the electrical field, thus becoming negatively ionized. This process is
referred to as cross-field gas ionization (Huggins).

As of this date, cross-field ionization machines have been continuously in service for
more than 10 years. Their primary application has been in supermarkets where they are
installed adjacent to fish counters. In this application, more than 1,000 cross-field
ionization machines are already being used to eliminate odors and significantly reduce
bacteria in the indoor environment.

Conclusions
Ionization is part of a healthy atmosphere. It is one of nature's tools for maintaining and
cleaning the air. Though positive and negative ionization exist together naturally in the
atmosphere, and abundance of negative ionization appears to have very beneficial effects
on humans, animal, and plants while an abundance of positive ionization seems to be
detrimental.

Human activities tend to decrease the amount of negative ionization in the atmosphere.
The problem is only greater when examined in the context of the indoor environment,
especially if one considers how much time the average city-dweller spends breathing
indoor air.

Technology designed to generate negative air ions can appropriately address many issues
related to indoor air quality, provided that such technology already exists; although up to
the present time it has been employed only in one primary application. With a wider
dissemination of this information, perhaps a wider range of indoor environments will
realize benefits from this technology.

References
Huggins, Richard A., US Patent No. 4980796, 1990

Jokl, Miloslav V., Microenvironment, The Theory and Practice of Indoor Climate,
Thomas, Illinois, 1989

Sulman, Felix G., The Effect of Air Ionization, Electric Fields, Atmospherics and Other
Electric Phenomena On Man and Animal, Thomas, Illinois, 1980

Richard A. Huggins, BS in Electronics, University of California, MS in Electrical
Engineering, Stanford. Mr. Huggins is the former CEO and Chief Engineer of Huggins
Engineering, former CEO and Chief Scientist of both PEK Labs, and Cybergen Systems.
Currently, Mr. Huggins owns and operates RC Enterprises, a company that devotes all of
its resources toward manufacture and research for the environmental industry.

Anthony J. McGettigan, BA in Psychology, California State University. Mr. McGettigan
is a technical writer and author.

Abstract: Atmospheric ionization as related to the indoor and outdoor environments.
Benefits of negative ionization are discussed. Patented solutions by RC Enterprises
(Chico, California) generate negatively ionized oxygen molecules, improving indoor air
quality without creating ozone and without plating interior wall with dirt.

Further reading:

• Naturlig ventilasjon og pustende konstruksjoner (in Norwegian)