What is best to remove odors, Carbon or Ionization?
CARBON
ADSORPTION vs IONIZATION
The basic difference of carbon adsorption and ionization in order
to eliminate odors has to be broken down into two areas, particulate
removal and gaseous compounds. Particles and gases are the vehicles
that bring odors and allergens into your body.
Carbon base adsorption of gases, therefore the odors associated with
the gases, has been proven to work over many years of use in many
commercial, industrial and residential air systems.
The porous structure of the carbon traps and holds the gases. The
carbon is almost always coupled with high efficiency filters to assure
that the pores of the carbon are free to adsorb gases and not get
plugged with simple dust particles, plus the added use of filters
on the leaving side of the carbon is so that carbon dusting does not
proceed into the clean air streams.
Ionization does not do either of these items well, so is basically
ineffective in removing odors or particulates from the air.
The assumption is that ions change the electrical charge of the particles.
This change in the charge of most particles helps them attach themselves
to other particles making them conglomerate together.
This conglomeration or bundle of dirt is supposed to be collected
by filters, drop to the floor or be eliminated from the environment
by other means. This is not the case. In fact, the dirt bundles attach
themselves to the first surface oppositely charged surface they come
in contact with. This surface ends up being dirty and gummy and is
usually the ceiling tile in commercial establishments or the return
grilles in residences. The filters, where the particles are designed
to accumulate, end up not being the prime collector.
In the process of making ions, there is also ozone made. This ozone
is what neutralizes the odors, not the ions. Ozone is an oxidizer
of organic matter and could indeed oxidize your lung tissue. The use
of ozone, without a sophisticated sensor to control the ambient levels,
is dangerous.
Summary - use systems that are safe, tried and true and continue to
be accepted by professionals for control of odors.
Carbon does a good job of neutralizing ozone and also adsorbs odors.
Use carbon to get rid of odors and gases and protect you from any
ozone produced by modern machinery and electrical components that
may be in the air.
