The Dangers of Ionic Breeze

Developed by Sharper Image, a modern technology and gadget company, Ionic Breeze air purifiers remove allergen-causing particles from the air. They work much like regular purifiers, except they use ion generators to produce negative ions that aid in removing particles. Ionic Breeze purifiers are claimed to provide better air cleaning technology, but there are several dangers associated with them.

Description

• The main part of an Ionic Breeze purifier is its negative ion generator. This generator emits a consistent stream of negative ions--oxygen atoms with an extra electron--into the air. Positively charged particles floating in the air attract negative ions and stick to them. When connected together, the particles become too heavy to stay in the air and fall to the floor.

Black Dust

• When negative ions cause debris to fall from the air, it does not always hit the floor. Sometimes harmful particles settle on the positively charged surfaces of surrounding areas, such as furniture and countertops, creating a film of black dust. As a result, the area around the ionic purifier becomes dark and dirty. If the dust is not removed, it can exacerbate respiratory problems such as asthma.

Ozone

• The release of ozone is one danger associated with the Ionic Breeze. Ozone is helpful for protecting us from ultraviolet rays in the earth's upper atmosphere. This is why it is needed for a healthy environment. When released indoors in an unventilated area, however, it becomes a toxic gas that causes respiratory problems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Health Problems

• In 2005, Consumer Reports researched ionic air purifiers and found that they do not efficiently clean the air and actually cause more harm than good. This is because of the ozone they release into the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ozone is a toxic gas that causes respiratory problems and the onset of asthma attacks. In addition, ozone may create a toxic reaction when it mixes with cooking oil, carpet vapors and common household chemicals. This reaction can cause the emission of formaldehyde, another toxic gas that is detrimental to your health when inhaled.