Negative ionizers and ozone generators are both air-cleaning machines, but they are not the same. A negative ion is an oxygen atom with an extra electron and is odorless, while ozone is an oxygen molecule that consists of three oxygen atoms and produces an odor in high concentrations. Ozone is a lung irritant, and it can be produced indirectly by ion generators and some other electronic air purifiers, as well as directly by ozone generators. Under certain conditions of use, ion generators and other ozone-generating air filters can produce levels of this lung irritant well above levels considered harmful to human health.
A small percentage of air purifiers that claim to have health benefits may be regulated by the FDA as medical devices. The Food and Drug Administration has set a limit of 0.05 parts per million of ozone for medical devices. While ozone can be used to reduce odors and pollutants in unoccupied spaces, the levels needed to achieve this are above what is generally considered safe for humans. The main difference between ionizers and ozone generators is that the former can sometimes produce ozone as a by-product, while the latter deliberately produces it.
An ionizer works on the principle that negatively charged ions adhere to allergens and dust, which are positively charged particles. Allergens and unwanted particles then fall to the floor or nearby surfaces, ready for you to clean. Negative ions are believed to have a number of health benefits and can be found naturally in the environment in places like the beach and after a storm. Ionizers can be a cost-effective option, but they're generally not as effective as air purifiers that trap particles in a filter (or destroy them completely).
Nor can they reduce levels of VOCs or chemicals in the air. This information is key to understanding the difference in operating time between an air ionizer and an ozone generator. As air flows over the precipitation plates due to an ionic wind moving in one direction, air pollutants are charged and deposited on the plates. While the use of air ionizers can cause a temporary but significant reduction in certain types of air pollutants, the production of ozone and other toxic gases through the normal operation of these devices often causes no general change or even increases certain air pollutants, such as ozone, oxygenated volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and toluene. The main advantage of an air ionizer is that it doesn't use filters as an air purifier or plates as an ozone generator, so basically, you don't need to replace anything. The first major difference between an air ionizer and an ozone generator is, of course, the way they clean the air.
But there is a problem: air ionizers use different ionization elements, such as a steel needle, plasma, carbon, etc. When you first place an air ionizer in a room, it usually takes a couple of hours to completely clean the air. The final difference between air ionizers and ozone generators is what pollutants they remove from the air. An ionizer will deal with particles suspended in the air, while an ozone generator will only attack gases. Ions are electrically charged atoms or molecules, while ozone is a gas produced by ozone generators.
Ionizers release negatively charged ions to neutralize contaminants, but they don't remove particles. Ozone generators release ozone to neutralize pollutants, but they can harm human health. Plant-based negative-ion air ionizers are being developed that operate under pulsed electric field (PEF) conditions and produce millions of ions per cubic meter. So, if you have a severe or moderate allergy or have asthma, keep the air ionizer at a distance or turn it on only when you are not in the room. There are air purifiers that use HEPA filters and activated carbon against dust, pollen and smoke, UV lamps that are intended to kill bacteria and germs, ionizers, which in many cases come as an additional function to classic air filters, and ozone generators. Conversely, air ionizers can produce ozone and other toxic gases, all of which are harmful to humans and pets.
Ionizers produce ions by using a nuclear source (polonium), and this is called alpha ionization, or by using an electrical source to create bipolar air (corona ionization). While they have some similarities, air ionizers are different from ozone generators in several ways. Now you know that the difference between the air ionizer and the ozone generator comes down to the method of cleaning the air, the operating time and the type of contaminants they remove. In conclusion, negative ionizers should not be confused with ozone generators because they work differently.
An ionizer works on the principle that negatively charged ions adhere to allergens and dust particles while an ozone generator releases ozone to neutralize pollutants. Air ionizers don't use filters or plates like ozone generators do; however they can produce toxic gases like ozone if used incorrectly. It's important to understand how each device works so you can make sure you're using them safely.
