Why You Need More Negative Ions Indoors

Anion (a.k.a negative ion) is an active atom or radical with negative electrical charges. Its activity with its adjacent neighbors serves to drive various acclaimed health benefits. They clear the air of dust, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, odors, cigarette smoke, bacteria, and viruses by agglomerating them in large numbers. This causes the pollutants to increase in density, reducing their tendency to stay airborne. A good negative ion generator can significantly decrease airborne bacteria and viruses in your indoor environment.

In a stable atmospheric state, the ratio of anions to positive ions is approximately 1:2. Generally, positive ions are distributed in polluted areas while anions in a clean environment. Under the force of nature, ions in the air change according to meteorological conditions. Under low pressure and temperature conditions, the concentration of positive ions increases. The outbreak possibility of several physical illnesses and symptoms, such as neuralgia, asthma, apoplexy, and even depression has been documented to increase significantly due to the decrease in anions and increase of positive ions within the human body.

Our homes and workplaces are usually sealed off from the natural benefits of negative ions. To make matters worse, air-conditioning systems, fluorescent lights, and electrical and computer equipment are all potential Positive Ion Generators while furnishings such as carpets and upholsteries have become what many have described as Positive Ion Prisons. Unless residing in the countryside, the opening of windows and other air outlets/ inlets may not be beneficial. Large towns and city environments have sometimes been tested to have less than a third of the beneficial anions in the air when compared to country environments. Moreover, city environments also bring along an array of other damaging pollutants (e.g. Carbon Monoxide, VOCs).

Above mentioned, it is capital to have increased levels of negative ions in your indoor environment for the following reasons:

• Anions increase one’s sense of well-being and mental clarity by removing adverse effects of excessive positive ions in the indoor spaces (excess of positively charged ions in your environment is believed to be precursors of fatigue, increased tension, anxiety, and irritability)
• Improves the function of cilia in your respiratory tract that protect your lungs from inflammation and irritation, leading to less instances of respiratory illnesses like colds, and even hayfever and asthma
• Improved performance levels and focus (Research at the University of California have been proven that negative ions normalize serotonin levels in the brain, potentially improving a person’s positive outlook and mood)
• Enhanced sleep quality (Negative ionizers are known to improve sleep patterns due to the positive effects in normalizing serotonin production in the brain)
• Reduces instances of headaches and sickness (a Surrey University study at the Norwich Union Insurance Group Headquarters exhibited the effectiveness of using negative ion air cleaners in reducing sickness and migraines by 78% in the workplace)

Learn more from our Indoor Environmental and Air Quality Consultants at Air & Odor Management today and discover the ‘How’ in increasing negative ions in your indoor environment!