Ions, our Atmosphere, and the Air we Breathe
Ions in Nature
Air ions are nature’s air cleaning method. In naturally pristine environments, such as at mountain elevations, air ion levels tend to be much higher than in areas that are more highly populated and industrialized, such as urban areas.
Ions Indoor
As we enter areas in which the atmosphere has become polluted, the natural supply of ions becomes exhausted in combating those pollutants. In indoor environments the problem becomes magnified. As we strive to build our homes and buildings to be more energy efficient, they allow for less natural ventilation.
We then introduce to air, which was less than perfect to begin with, all the contaminants and pollutants created by people’s activities and the materials used to build our homes and buildings, as well as the cleaning products, pesticides, etc we use to maintain our homes and buildings. This is why natural ion levels are practically non-existent in indoor environments; they have been stripped from the atmosphere by the pollutants we have created.
The AtmosAir system uses our bi-polar ionization technology to increase those levels of ions back to where nature had intended them to be. Our technology will enable you to enjoy the crisp, fresh air naturally found in mountain elevations because our bi-polar ionization allows the indoor environment the ability to do so. The AtmosAir system is harnessing nature’s powerful air cleaning method, bi-polar ionization, for use in your home or building.
Examples of Sources Which Produce Ionization Naturally:
- Waterfalls
- Ocean Surf
- Indoor or Outdoor Fountains
- Showers
- Lightning
- Sunlight
What is an Air Ion?
Air ions are a natural occurrence. When a sufficient enough energy source is imparted upon the atmosphere it will cause an effect on otherwise non-reactive oxygen atoms. Oxygen atoms have several layers of electrons.
An energy source can cause an oxygen atom to have an electron stripped from it. This may be the result of a waterfall or lightning storm or in the AtmosAir technology we use a process called cold plasma discharge. This is why our bi-polar ionization tubes produce no heat or emit no light. The oxygen atom, which loses an electron becomes a positive air ion and the oxygen atom which gains an electron becomes a negative air ion.
These now become reactive oxygen species and seek to interact with oppositely charged contaminants. The AtmosAir system is simply imitating nature to harness nature’s powerful air cleaning method, active oxygen.
How The AtmosAir System Works
The beauty of the AtmosAir system is just how easily it can be integrated into HVAC systems in homes and buildings or used as standalone portable units.
Airflow passes through our patented ionization tube. The tube energizes the air to form bi-polar (or positive and negative) air ions. The airflow then distributes the ions into all of the spaces served by the duct system in an in-duct installation, or into the applicable space if a standalone unit is used. It’s that simple and elegant!
There’s no continual maintenance, no filters to keep changing or collector cells to constantly clean. The only maintenance required in most cases is a once yearly replacement of the ionization tube.
The bi-polar ions created can also affect a greater number and variety of contaminants than most air purification systems because the ions go out into the breathing space and seek out and neutralize the contaminants at their source. This is vastly superior to most air purification methods, which rely on trying to bring all the contaminants thru the device to be affected and usually suffer from insufficient airflow. The air cleans itself where you breathe, just as occurs in nature.
Benefits of Bi-Polar Ionization
Particles – Bi-Polar ions interact with particles and cause particles to be attracted together and bond air ions. The process is called agglomeration. The particles become larger in size and weight and two things occur. Particles drawn in by airflow that may pass across a filter and more efficiently trapped by filters and particles drop from the breathing space to the floor. The result is air free from particles such as dust and mold in the space where you breathe.
Odors – Bi-Polar ions seek out odors at their source and break down their composition and eliminate odors. Our system doesn’t mask or dilute odors, it eliminates them.
VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) – These are off-gasses from chemicals, cleaning products, pesticides, paints, solvents, mold (mildew), etc. They are irritating in many cases and toxic in some cases. Bi-Polar ions seek out VOC’s and break down their complex hydrocarbon chains into simple harmless elements such as carbon dioxide and water vapor in minute amounts.
Mold, Bacteria, Viruses – Bi-Polar Ions interact with these elements and affect their DNA, disturbing their reproductive process. Losing the ability to reproduce, the mold, bacteria or viruses stop growing and increasing in numbers, as they typically would, but reduce and become less viable.
Energy Conservation – In commercial buildings it is important to mechanically ventilate the building with outside air as windows may be inoperable and VOC’s would build up to irritating levels if not diluted with outside air. Outdoor air however is extremely expensive to heat or cool especially in light of today’s rising energy costs. By our ability to purify the air, conditioned air can be recycled and cost savings can be achieved.
Static Electricity Reduction – Because we use bi-polar ionization, the indoor environment is statically neutralized and static charges are eliminated.
A Natural Process – Our unique patented bi-polar ionization uses no chemicals or heavy metals or mercury and produces no harmful by-products such as ozone or ultra-violet light.
AtmosAir Cleans the Air Naturally…the Way Nature Intended it To
Sick Building Syndrome
What is Sick Building Syndrome?
Sick building syndrome (SBS) occurs when occupants of a building experience acute health effects that seem to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. Frequently, problems result when a building is operated or maintained in a manner that is inconsistent with its original design or prescribed operating procedures. Sometimes indoor air problems are a result of poor building design or occupant activities.
Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort. These symptoms include headaches; eye, nose, and throat irritation; a dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors. With SBS, no clinically defined disease or specific chemical or biological contaminant can be determined as the cause of the symptoms. Most of the complainants feel relief soon after leaving the building. SBS reduces worker productivity and may also increase absenteeism.
What Causes SBS?
While specific causes of SBS remain unknown, the following have been cited as contributing factors to sick building syndrome. These elements may act in combination or may supplement other complaints such as inadequate temperature, humidity or lighting.
- Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources: Outdoor air that enters a building can also be a source of indoor pollution. Pollutants from motor vehicle exhausts, plumbing vents, and building exhausts (bathrooms and kitchens) can enter the building through poorly located air intake vents, windows, and other openings.
- Combustion by-products can also enter a building from a nearby garage. Chemical contaminants from indoor sources: Most indoor air pollution comes from sources inside the building. For example, adhesives, upholstery, carpeting, copy machines, manufactured wood products, cleaning agents and pesticides may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde. Research shows that some VOCs can cause chronic and acute health effects at high concentrations, and some are known carcinogens. Low to moderate levels of multiple VOCs may also produce acute reactions in some individuals. Environmental tobacco smoke and combustion products from stoves, fireplaces, and unvented space heaters all can put chemical contaminants into the air.
- Biological contaminants: Biological contaminants include pollen, bacteria, viruses, and molds. These contaminants can breed in stagnant water that has accumulated in humidifiers, drain pans, and ducts, or where water has collected on ceiling tiles, insulation, or carpet. Biological contaminants can cause fever, chills, cough, chest tightness, muscle aches, and allergic reactions. One indoor air bacterium, Legionella, has caused both Pontiac Fever and Legionnaire’s Disease.
- Inadequate ventilation: In the 1970s the oil embargo led building designers to make buildings more airtight, with less outdoor air ventilation, in order to improve energy efficiency. These reduced ventilation rates have been found to be, in many cases, Inadequate to maintain the health and comfort of building occupants.
What Are the Solutions to Sick Building Syndrome?
Solutions to SBS problems usually include combinations of the following measures:
- Increasing the ventilation rates and air distribution is often a cost-effective means of reducing indoor pollutant levels. At a minimum, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems should be designed to meet ventilation standards in local building codes. Make sure that the system is operated and maintained to ensure that the design ventilation rates are attained. If possible, the HVAC system should be operated to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62-1989. If there are strong pollutant sources, air may need to be vented directly to the outside. This method is especially recommended to remove pollutants that accumulate in specific areas such as restrooms, copy rooms, and printing facilities.
- Removal or modification of the pollutant source is the most effective approach to solving a known source of an indoor air quality problem when this solution is practicable. Ways to do this include routine maintenance of HVAC systems; replacing water-stained ceiling tiles and carpets; banning smoking or providing a separately ventilated room; venting contaminant source emissions to the outdoors; using and storing paints, solvents, pesticides, and adhesives in closed containers in well-ventilated areas; using those pollutant sources in periods of low or no occupancy; and allowing time for building materials in new or remodeled areas to off-gas pollutants before occupancy.
- Education and communication are important parts of any air quality management program. When everyone associated with the building, from occupants to maintenance, fully understands the issues and communicates with each other they can work more effectively together to prevent and solve problems.
AtmosAir Bi-Polar Ionization (BPI) Process vs. Other Methods
There are many other technologies on the market that attempt to deal with IAQ problems. They all have their strengths and the weaknesses, but most importantly, NONE of them are capable of dealing with most/all the typical IAQ problems like AtmosAir’s BPI process.
Below is a comparative review of the most common technologies available on the market today.
AtmosAir Bi-Polar Ionization
- Disinfects air by producing and distributing a controlled amount of positive and negative air ions, which interact with oppositely charged elements.
- Does not rely on contaminants passing through the unit to be cleaned, the bi-polar process allows for air cleaning to occur within the desired space treating a larger volume of air within the breathing range.
- AtmosAir's patented BPI technology does not produce harmful chemicals or products such as ultraviolet (UV) and ozone.
- Effective against bacteria, spores, voc compounds and particles.
- Can treat the source of contamination.
- Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems or used as stand alone units.
- Will not restrict airflow when incorporated into central systems.
- Requires maintenance each year to replace worn tubes.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filtration
- Pleated type filter that has proven 99.97% efficient to trap particles 0.3 microns and larger.
- Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems or used as stand alone units. Is effective on particulate removal
- Cannot treat source of contaminants, can only filter contaminated air from entering an area.
- Is not effective on many mold spores, bacteria and viruses.
- Is not effective on VOC’s, gasses and most odors.
- Will restrict airflow when incorporated into central systems and increase energy costs.
- Requires several maintenance visits to replace used filters each year.
UV (Ultra-Violet light) Purification
- Disinfects by passing air through ultra-violet light.
- Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems or used as stand alone units. UV light can only treat contaminants that pass directly through the light field. Ambient air that does not enter through the light field will not be affected.
- UV is dependant on contaminants being exposed to the light field for a time period long enough for the contaminant to be treated.
- UV is dangerous when exposed to humans.
- Some elements (for example Aspergillus Niger) are resistant to UV altogether.
- Is not effective on VOC’s, gasses and odors.
- Is not effective in reducing particulate levels
- Some of these systems produce undesirable ozone levels.
- Will not restrict airflow when incorporated into central systems.
- Requires maintenance each year to replace worn bulbs.
Electronic Air Cleaners
- Charges particles by generating single polarity ions to pass through the unit to attract to an oppositely charged collector cell.
- Uses high energy (up to 25,000 volts) to produce ions.
- Mostly ineffective against bacteria, spores, odors and voc compounds.
- Requires maintenance (sometimes monthly) to clean collector cells or unit’s effectiveness will diminish.
- Can only treat air which passes through the collector cell.
- High energy used to generate ions will create ozone.
- Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems.
“Dust Collectors”
- Examples of these units are the many “stick style” consumer units.
- Charges particles by generating single polarity ions to pass through the unit to attract to an oppositely charged collector cell.
- Units do not produce adequate airflow to effect large spaces.
- Only effective inches from the unit.
- High energy used to generate ions will create ozone.
- Single polarity charge may produce particles clinging to surfaces
- Ineffective against bacteria, spores and voc compounds.
- Cannot be incorporated into central HVAC systems.
Testing Results
Independent Testing of AtmosAir solutions
Even though we have scores of letters from our satisfied clients who have felt the difference an AtmosAir system can make, we know it is important to have independent third party analysis of the performance of the product as well.
The links below contain full versions of tests performed on AtmosAir systems Intertek ETL Semko, the nation’s largest independent testing laboratory. These tests verify our impressive performance on effectiveness at removing dust and mold spores.
We have also tests performed on other air purification products to show just how much more effective AtmosAir is than the leading competitors.
Lastly we tested our AtmosAir to ensure the system produces no harmful ozone and indeed the tests prove the AtmosAir system produces no harmful levels of ozone.
Please click on the links below to access full versions of each test.
- Independent Test for Dust Particles and Mold Reduction
- Independent Test for Ozone Production
- Independent CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) Test Comparing the Efficacy of Bi-Polar Ionization to 4 Other Common Air Purification Technologies
- Charts of ETL Independent CADR comparison tests with Bi-Polar Ionization
Please note that at the time of testing the product was originally called BentaxUSA. We have since branded our products to AtmosAir (A Clean Air Group Product)
