Air purifiers using negative ions have little effect


Air purifiers using negative ions have little air-cleansing effect and even emit high-level ozone that can cause respiratory illnesses, a government test has found.

By contrast, those with filters proved effective at improving indoor air quality and only discharged moderate levels of ozone, the government said after examining 45 products on sale.

The demand for air purifiers has recently surged following the recent yellow dust storms that blew across Korea from China and the "well-being" trend.

Negative ion air purifiers account for around 20 percent of air cleaner sales with another 52 percent of the market taken by filter purifiers, said the Ministry of Environment.

Negative ion air purifiers were known to create negative ions found in mountainous areas and near waterfalls where the air is pure and healthy.

However, those on sale have only a minimal ability of collecting dust and removing harmful substances, the ministry said.

They also generate ozone up to 10 times more than the permissible level, the government said.

Nearly 70 percent of those gave off up to 0.580 ppm (parts per million) ozone, a figure far higher than the permissible level of 0.05 ppm.

"We are concerned about possible damage to consumers," the ministry said in its news release.

It refuted claims by some groups that low levels of ozone can act as a powerful purification element.

"Research has found that ozone has little effect on getting rid of air pollutants indoors," it said.

Therefore, it advised customers not to purchase products that advertise the effects of removing pollutants and odor through generating ozone.

The ministry said it will further inspect all air purifiers.
                                   
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