Allergies and an Ionizer

Allergies

• Allergies are immune system reactions to certain types of particles that the body has become sensitized to. Pollen is the most common example of an allergen, or a particle that causes allergic reactions, but there are many different types of sizes of pollen. Other allergens include pet dander and even more common types of dust. These particles can cause allergies as long as they are present and must be removed for allergies to subside.

Ionizers

• An ionizer is a system that tries to remove allergens from the air by using an electrostatic charge. Essentially, the ionizer imparts an electric charge to the air that passes near it. This stream of ionized particles attaches to particles in the air, which then become charged themselves and are attracted to surrounding surfaces. Upon leaving the air, they cease to cause allergies.

Target Particles

• Ionizers are not meant to work with all allergens. Some allergens clump together or are so heavy that instead of floating on the air for long periods of time, they sink down to the floor where it is easiest to vacuum them. Ionizers work only with the particles that are light enough to travel through air vents. Light pollens, such as grass pollens, are often target particles for ionizers.

Needle and Plate

• There are two basic kinds of air ionizers. The first is a needle ionizer. This creates negative electrons and passes them into the air from the tip of needle. The airborne electrons charge particles and cause them to gravitate toward surfaces. This means that the particles tend to attach themselves to nearby walls or inside vents. Plate ionizers charge thin metal plates instead, which attract particles in the air to a specific spot on the plates.

Maintenance

• Plate ionizers must be cleaned regularly to remove particle buildup on the plates themselves. Homeowners should clean these plates once every few months, especially during allergy season. Needle ionizers create dirty patches on surrounding walls, which must then be cleaned to restore them to their natural state.