How Bipolar Ionization Improves IAQ

As facilities and building managers confront the realities of the COVID19 pandemic, better methods and tools become available to keep buildings safe. For instance, increased cleaning and disinfecting schedules limit the risk of infection. Regular maintenance and repairs to HVAC systems keep systems running at top performance. But, real-time, persistent air purification gives building engineers an edge in maintaining good indoor air quality. Therefore, bipolar ionization improves IAQ by reducing the risks airborne viruses pose within shared spaces.

Aerosol Transmission of Coronavirus

Understanding how airborne viruses travel is important in limiting their spread. For example, we know coronavirus spreads through the mouth when coughing, sneezing, and talking. Up to 30,000 droplets, invisible to the naked eye, get produced from a single sneeze. These droplets travel at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Researchers are now beginning to understand how these droplets attach themselves to aerosols already in the air to create even more risk for staff and building visitors. One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that coronavirus can live in an aerosol for up to three hours. This increases the chances of inhalation as it can take that long for ventilation systems to remove aerosols from the air.

Each day we learn more about how airborne viruses get transmitted. As a result, the link between clean air and preventing the spread of the COVID-19 is also getting more attention. We know for certain that bipolar ionization improves IAQ and is an effective way to destroy viruses, keeping building occupants safe. Many hotels are now using bipolar ionization to create safer, healthier environments for their guests. But, there are benefits for every industry in keeping staff, visitors, and other building occupants safe from infection.

Bipolar Ionization Improves IAQ

PURE-Plasma HVAC-mounted ionizers use proactive air purification technologies to deactivate airborne viruses. These bipolar ionization devices create millions of positive and negative oxygen ions. When released into the air conveyance system, they remove hydrogen molecules from the viral cells they come in contact with to inactivate them.

PURE Plasma ionizers install in the supply air ductwork or air handler. Ionizers go in both new equipment or get retrofitted into older systems. First, the positive and negative ions generated by the device get released whenever air is flowing through the ductwork. Next, the ions come in contact with viruses, molds,  and other microbes bacteria. Then, they trigger oxidation in these particle’s cells causing a breakdown of their structure. Similarly, ionization has been shown to reduce some volatile organic compounds and neutralize odors. Coronavirus itself is too small to get trapped by most filtration systems. However, charged clusters of clumped particles are easier for filters to catch and remove from the air. The result is a cleaner, healthier environment with less risk of infectious outbreaks.

Benefits of Clean Air

PURE-Plasma ionizers help to create cleaner indoor air when used as part of a larger indoor air quality strategy. According to the Harvard Cogfx Study, improved indoor air quality leads to healthier employees. Healthy workers are happier workers and their productivity increases as sick days decrease. This, along with reduced healthcare costs, has significant cost-savings benefits.

To find out more about how PURE-Plasma ionizers can help you create a cleaner indoor environment, contact  Contact Pure Air Controls today.