Email to a Friend Print Bookmark YONKERS, N.Y. — Just completed testing and analysis at Consumer Reports has found that the Ionic Breeze Professional air cleaner with OzoneGuard is "as ineffective as earlier versions." As a result, Consumer Reports does not recommend this model. Lab testing also found that the Ionic Breeze with OzoneGuard still adds ozone to the air. article continues below ↓ . The update, as well as the current air cleaner article from the October 2005 issue of CR (and prior air cleaner reviews), are available on the CR Web site free of charge. follows:An Air Cleaner That Does Little Cleaning Our latest tests show that the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Professional with OzoneGuard is as ineffective as earlier versions and, unlike most room air cleaners, emits ozone as a byproduct. Based on its poor performance, we do not recommend it. Sharper Image began offering its Professional Series air cleaners with the new OzoneGuard catalyst in July 2005 as Consumer Reports' October report on air cleaners went to press.

Indeed, our highest-rated air cleaner removed particles from the air roughly 20 times faster than the Ionic Breeze Professional. Ozone is also a concern, especially for people with asthma and respiratory allergies, which ozone can aggravate. coway air purifier warrantyWhile earlier versions of the Ionic Breeze significantly exceeded the ozone limit in the voluntary, industry-standard Underwriters Laboratory test, the Ionic Breeze with OzoneGuard still adds ozone to the air, measuring just within the test limit. air purifier giaboAlso remember that even the best air cleaner may be a questionable investment, since there's little medical evidence that air cleaners alone reduce the effects of indoor pollutants for those with asthma and allergies. potomac services air duct cleaning

. . ©2005, Consumers Union. it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes.   Other Articles by Consumers UnionConsumer Reports Spills the Dirt on Laundry DetergentsConsumer Reports Tests Reveal Which Stain Treatments Really WorkPricey Dish Soaps are Not Better at CleaningLow-Phosphate Dishwasher Detergents That WorkLaundry Detergent Test: High Price Doesn’t Guarantee High Performance All articles by this author...About Consumers UnionConsumer Reports® is published by Consumers Union (CU), an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To achieve this mission, CU tests, informs and protects. To maintain its independence and impartiality, CU accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers. CU supports itself through the sale of information pro and services, individual contributions and a few noncommercial grants.

The air inside an average home overflows with pollutants, bacteria, and other harmful particles. This is why air purifiers are invaluable for people with allergies and respiratory ailments such as asthma. The most common method of purifying air is with filters. Ionic air purifiers use a more complex method than mere filters and reduce contaminants using charged particles. Understanding the basics of how ionic air purifiers work helps buyers make more informed decisions regarding their purchases. Molecules make up all the particles in the air, including contaminants. These molecules have a stable, neutral charge. Most air ionizers use a process called corona discharge to create negatively charged air molecules. To achieve a corona discharge, air ionizers use several rows of needle-like structures. High electric voltage (with a low current) passes through these needles. Because electrons have a negative charge, they repel each other until they reach the tip of the needle and break free.

The free electrons cling to the nearest air molecule, giving that molecule a negative charge and turning it into an ion. Because negatively charged particles repel each other, these ions push each other away. As a result, they disperse in all directions without the need for a motorized fan or any other dispersal system. When an ion encounters another molecule, it passes on its negative charge. Contaminants usually consist of large molecules, and ions easily bump into them. The negatively charged contaminants seek a grounded surface, such as a wall or the floor. Modern ionic air purifiers include built-in collector panels that act as magnets for these charged contaminants. Because air ionizers work at a molecular level, they can remove even the smallest contaminants, including germs, bacteria, and viruses. According to an article in The New Scientist, ionic air purifiers can wipe out even antibiotic-resistant bacteria present in public hospitals. However, critics of these purifying systems point out the lack of extensive testing on this technology and insist poorly designed units can prove hazardous to users' health.

Because the contaminants stick to floors and walls as well as the collector panels, users have to clean the units and their homes regularly. Not doing so allows the contaminant particles to re-pollute the air. Compared to other air purifiers, air ionizers are the most well-rounded and efficient systems available. Although other air purifiers are more effective in some cases, they typically have a narrow range of very specific uses. Purifiers that use ultraviolet light, for example, kill microorganisms but fail to handle dust and smoke. Type of Air Purifying System Can remove particles up to 0.01 microns Can remove bacteria and viruses Most units are easy to clean Contaminants could return to the air without frequent cleaning of rooms and collecting panels Badly-designed units could produce harmful ozone HEPA Filter Air Purifiers Can remove particles up to 0.03 microns Filtered contaminants not re-released into the air Cannot filter smaller contaminants such as cigarette smoke Filter is sometimes a breeding ground for microorganisms

Can remove odors, fumes, and smoke Filtered contaminants not re-released into the air Cannot remove larger particles such as dust and other allergens Cannot remove bacteria and other microorganisms Sterilizes bacteria, molds, and viruses Cannot purify dust and other allergens Cannot remove odors, fumes, and smoke Some ionic air purifiers are actually hybrids that contain additional purifying methods, such as pre-filters with activated carbon. This makes the systems more effective at cleaning the air. Buyers can start their search for air purifiers on eBay. Typing "ionic air purifier" into the search box found on any page typically provides users with hundreds of results. Adding additional details, such as a brand name, helps buyers find listings that are more precise. Search terms such as "Ionic Pro air purifier" or "Sharper Image air purifier" yields fewer results but are more specific concerning the buyer's needs. Buyers should read the product pages and the seller's policies very carefully, especially for used air purifiers.