Negative Ion Information
Safe Air is an Indoor Air Quality firm from Canada. They offer excellent information on their website (www.safeair.ca) about negative ions, such as this quote:
"Indoor air that has a higher concentration of positive ions can lead to Sick Building Syndrome or even symptoms usually associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder or the "winter blahs". Studies suggest that air with a overall depleted ion count (positive and negative) or an abundance of positive ions and a lack of negative ions, does not promote a healthy environment and should be treated as polluted air."
Here is what they have to say on their website about negative ions:
The air around us is filled with electrically charged particles. These invisible particles are generated in the billions by cosmic rays, radioactivity in the soil, ultraviolet radiation, storms, waterfall, wind and friction of airborne sand and dust.hese charged particles are called ions.
As is the case with all matter, air is made up of molecules. Each molecule has a nucleus of positively charged protons surrounded by negatively charged electrons. Nature constantly seeks an equilibrium or balance so that there are as many electrons as there are protons so that the negative charges cancel out the positive. This happens in a stable molecule of air.
Air ions are created when enough energy acts upon a molecule of air and an electron is ejected from the nucleus. The displaced electron attaches to a nearby stable molecule which then becomes a negative ion. The molecule that loses an electron becomes a positive ion.
Ions appear to have an affect on our moods, animals intuition about oncoming storms, and how ants know in advance that it's going to rain in time to block their tunnels.
Research in Russia (Minkh, Vasilyev), Israel (Sulman), Norway (Tjonn), England (Hawkins) and the United States (Alexander, Fisher, Kreuger) have successfully linked the existence of air ion depletion to detrimental biological and behavioral effects in humans. Latest Ion research suggests that negative ions may fight infection.
Positive Ions
According to research, positive ions cause sleeplessness, irritability, tension, migraines, nausea, breathing difficulties, digestive problems, depression, fatigue, even suicide. Positive ions slow down the delivery of oxygen, producing symptoms like anoxia or oxygen starvation. They alter the functional state of the central nervous system, peripheral organs and affect the secretion of the nero-hormone serotonin.
Negative Ions
Negative ions enhance our mood, stimulate our senses, improve appetite and sexual drive, provide relief from hay fever, sinusitis, bronchial asthma, allergies, migraines, even post operative pain and burns. Negative ions stimulate the reticuloendothelial system which is a group of defense cells in our bodies which marshal our resistance to disease. Negative ions promote alpha brain waves and increased brain wave amplitude which results in a higher awareness level. The body is better able to absorb oxygen into the blood cells, oxidize serotonin and filter airborne contaminants.
Normal ion counts in fresh country air is 2,000-4,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter. At a large water fall you might find over 100,000 negative ions. Polluted air such as in large cities might have less than 100 ions.
You might have noticed that you feel more refreshed near the ocean, a waterfall or even taking a shower. This is because all of these areas have a higher concentration of negative ions to positive ones. The ocean typically has 2000 negative ions and 1000 positive. The force or energy of the falling or splashing water causes splitting of neutral particles of air, freeing electrons which attach to other air molecules causing a negative charge.
Indoor air also has concentrations of positive and negative ions just like the air outside. A well ventilated home will have similar concentrations of air ions as the outdoor air. Normal outdoor air (unless you are at the ocean or in the country) will have slightly more positive ions compared to negative ions. Indoor air can receive a higher negative ion count through simple things like showering or having a water source like an indoor fountain or a artificial negative ion generator. The air can also become positively charged or have an abundance of positive ions through pollution and static electricity in your home. Polluted air with a high particulate count of dust will become statically charged. This static charge will attract the negative ions subsequently depleting or absorbing them. The end result will be indoor air with a depleted supply of negative ions an an oversupply of positive ions.
Static can also come from synthetic building materials, synthetic carpets, synthetic furniture, synthetic fabrics and clothing, plastics, urethane finishes, as well as EMF's. All of these synthetic materials and objects will greatly upset the normal ion balance.
Indoor air that has a higher concentration of positive ions can lead to Sick Building Syndrome or even symptoms usually associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder or the "winter blahs". Studies suggest that air with a overall depleted ion count (positive and negative) or an abundance of positive ions and a lack of negative ions, does not promote a healthy environment and should be treated as polluted air.
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