Air ionizers are a popular air purification system that can help reduce odors and make air appear fresher. However, it's important to be aware of the potential risks associated with using an ionizer in an enclosed space when someone is present. The process of charging air with negative ions produces ozone as a by-product, and ozone is known to be hazardous to health. Therefore, it is recommended to open a window or operate the ionizer when no one is home and turn it off when there is someone in the room. When considering if an air ionizer is right for you, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons.
On one hand, air ionization has benefits that are difficult to achieve with a standard air purifier, such as reducing odors and making air appear fresher. On the other hand, some critics believe that air ionizers emit dangerous levels of ozone that are not only damaging to the environment, but can also be hazardous to health. To ensure safety when using an air ionizer, it's important to clean the area around the unit regularly, preferably with a vacuum with a HEPA filter. If this is a hybrid unit, turn off the ionization function if possible. Additionally, it's best to operate the ionizer when no one is home and turn it off when there is someone in the room. In my experience, the vast majority of air purification power comes from the unit's airflow and the HEPA filter.
That said, special ozone air purifiers are not safe at any level for people to be near them when they are in operation and can take several hours (or even days) to fully ventilate. At the end of the day, you and your family must decide if the advantages of ionized air outweigh the potential risk of rising ozone levels. I recently spoke with a friend from Modern Castle, an air purification expert who has been designing and building air purification systems for 25 years. He recommends that if you have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), it's best to avoid using an air ionizer in an enclosed space. In conclusion, while air ionizers can provide many benefits, it's important to be aware of their potential risks. To ensure safety when using an air ionizer, make sure to clean the area around the unit regularly and turn off the ionization function if possible.
Additionally, it's best to operate the ionizer when no one is home and turn it off when there is someone in the room.
