Effectiveness and Concentration Distribution of Negative Air Ions on Human Health in Indoor Environment

Xiaoni DENG , Yuhui AN , Xuebin YANG , Ruidan ZHANG , Chen XIONG

Journal of Donghua University(English Edition) ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2) : 144 -155.

PDF (4239KB)
Journal of Donghua University(English Edition) ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2) :144 -155. DOI: 10.19884/j.1672-5220.202402007
Resource,Ecology and Environment
research-article

Effectiveness and Concentration Distribution of Negative Air Ions on Human Health in Indoor Environment

Author information +
History +
PDF (4239KB)

Abstract

Negative air ions(NAIs) in indoor environments have been suggested to positively impact human health by effectively reducing particulate contamination and gaseous pollutants, as well as inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, bacteria and viruses.This study investigates the common ionizers with different module types, and the mechanism of NAIs for enhancing indoor air quality, as well as the positive and negative impacts on human health.The association between NAI concentrations and human health outcomes is examined, and alternative measures to balance beneficial and unavailing effects are investigated.While NAIs demonstrate efficacy in removing particulate pollutants, alleviating depression, enhancing cognitive function and even stimulating sympathetic activity, it is pertinent to acknowledge the presence of contradictory findings concerning their effects on cardiac autonomic function and respiratory physiology.To address this complexity, it is imperative to consider alternative measures that strike a balance between the beneficial and unavailing effects of NAIs.These measures can encompass a general assessment of the characteristics of particulate pollutants, a strategic selection of ionizer technologies, and adherence to the recommended optimal concentration thresholds of NAIs.

Keywords

indoor environment / negative air ion(NAI) / human health / particle removal / alternative measure

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
Xiaoni DENG, Yuhui AN, Xuebin YANG, Ruidan ZHANG, Chen XIONG. Effectiveness and Concentration Distribution of Negative Air Ions on Human Health in Indoor Environment. Journal of Donghua University(English Edition), 2025, 42(2): 144-155 DOI:10.19884/j.1672-5220.202402007

登录浏览全文

4963

注册一个新账户 忘记密码

References

[1]

WANG H, WANG B, NIU X, et al. Study on the change of negative air ion concentration and its influencing factors at different spatio-temporal scales[J]. Global Ecology and Conservation, 2020,23:e01008.

[2]

ENACHE L M, BUNESCU I. Air ionization-an environmental factor with therapeutic potential[J]. GEOREVIEW:Scientific Annals of Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava.Geography Series, 2019, 29(1):31-39.

[3]

PATIL V N, PATIL B P, SHIMPI N G, et al. Proposed negative ion generator[J]. International Journal of Applied Information Systems, 2012,3:44-48.

[4]

YAN X J, WANG H R, HOU Z Y, et al. Spatial analysis of the ecological effects of negative air ions in urban vegetated areas:a case study in Maiji,China[J]. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 2015, 14(3):636-645.

[5]

GUO H Y, CHEN J, WANG L F, et al. A highly efficient triboelectric negative air ion generator[J]. Nature Sustainability, 2020, 4(2):147-153.

[6]

HARTMANN A, KRIEGEL M. The influence of air ions on the particle concentration in indoor environments:a systematic literature review[J]. Results in Engineering, 2022,15:100528.

[7]

ORTIZ-GRISALES P, PATIÑO-MURILLO J, DUQUE-GRISALES E. Comparative study of computational models for reducing air pollution through the generation of negative ions[J]. Sustainability, 2021, 13(13):7197.

[8]

LIN L, LI Y, KHAN M, et al. Real-time characterization of negative air ion-induced decomposition of indoor organic contaminants by mass spectrometry[J]. Chemical Communications, 2018, 54(76):10687-10690.

[9]

NUNAYON S S, ZHANG H H, CHAN V, et al. Study of synergistic disinfection by UVC and positive/negative air ions for aerosolized Escherichia coli,Salmonella typhimurium,and Staphylococcus epidermidis in ventilation duct flow[J]. Indoor Air, 2022, 32(1):e12957.

[10]

NUNAYON S S, ZHANG H H, JIN X, et al. Experimental evaluation of positive and negative air ions disinfection efficacy under different ventilation duct conditions[J]. Building and Environment, 2019,158:295-301.

[11]

ZHOU P, YANG Y, HUANG G S, et al. Numerical and experimental study on airborne disinfection by negative ions in air duct flow[J]. Building and Environment, 2018,127:204-210.

[12]

SKROMULIS A. Impact of cluster ions and air pollution on human health[J]. Environment Technologies Resources.Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference, 2019,1:267-271.

[13]

HENNING R J. Particulate matter air pollution is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease[J]. Current Problems in Cardiology, 2024, 49(1):102094.

[14]

REN C, HAGHIGHAT F, FENG Z B, et al. Impact of ionizers on prevention of airborne infection in classroom[J]. Building Simulation, 2023, 16(5):749-764.

[15]

PUSHPAWELA B, JAYARATNE R, NGUY A, et al. Efficiency of ionizers in removing airborne particles in indoor environments[J]. Journal of Electrostatics, 2017,90:79-84.

[16]

SHI B B, EKBERG L. Ionizer assisted air filtration for collection of submicron and ultrafine particles-evaluation of long-term performance and influencing factors[J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2015, 49(11):6891-6898.

[17]

JIANG S Y, MA A L, RAMACHANDRAN S. Negative air ions and their effects on human health and air quality improvement[J]. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018, 19(10):2966.

[18]

XIAO S, WEI T J, PETERSEN J D, et al. Biological effects of negative air ions on human health and integrated multiomics to identify biomarkers:a literature review[J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 2023, 30(27):69824-69836.

[19]

BOWERS B, FLORY R, AMETEPE J, et al. Controlled trial evaluation of exposure duration to negative air ions for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder[J]. Psychiatry Research, 2018,259:7-14.

[20]

CHU C H, CHEN S R, WU C H, et al. The effects of negative air ions on cognitive function:an event-related potential (ERP) study[J]. International Journal of Biometeorology, 2019, 63(10):1309-1317.

[21]

LIU S, LI C, CHU M T, et al. Associations of forest negative air ions exposure with cardiac autonomic nervous function and the related metabolic linkages:a repeated-measure panel study[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2022,850:158019.

[22]

LIU S, HUANG Q Y, WU Y, et al. Metabolic linkages between indoor negative air ions,particulate matter and cardiorespiratory function:a randomized,double-blind crossover study among children[J]. Environment International, 2020,138:105663.

[23]

HO C S, LEE M C, CHANG C Y, et al. Beneficial effects of a negative ion patch on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage,inflammation,and exercise performance in badminton athletes[J]. Chinese Journal of Physiology, 2020, 63(1):35-42.

[24]

FLORY R, AMETEPE J, BOWERS B. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of bright light and high-density negative air ions for treatment of seasonal affective disorder[J]. Psychiatry Research, 2010, 177(1/2):101-108.

[25]

GOEL N, TERMAN M, TERMAN J S, et al. Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression[J]. Psychological Medicine, 2005, 35(7):945-955.

[26]

GOEL N, ETWAROO G R. Bright light,negative air ions and auditory stimuli produce rapid mood changes in a student population:a placebo-controlled study[J]. Psychological Medicine, 2006, 36(9):1253-1263.

[27]

WALLNER P, KUNDI M, PANNY M, et al. Exposure to air ions in indoor environments:experimental study with healthy adults[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2015, 12(11):14301-14311.

[28]

LIN W, ZENG C C, NIE W B, et al. Study of the vertical structures,thermal comfort,negative air ions,and human physiological stress of forest walking spaces in summer[J]. Forests, 2022, 13(2):335.

[29]

WU Y Y, CHEN Y C, YU K P, et al. Deposition removal of monodisperse and polydisperse.submicron particles by a negative air ionizer[J]. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 2015, 15(3):994-1007.

[30]

SAWANT V S, MEENA G S, JADHAV D B. Effect of negative air ions on fog and smoke[J]. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 2012, 12(5):1007-1015.

[31]

SHIUE A, HU S C. Contaminant particles removal by negative air ionic cleaner in industrial minienvironment for IC manufacturing processes[J]. Building and Environment, 2011, 46(8):1537-1544.

[32]

KOLARŽ P, ILIĆA Ž, JANKOVIĆ M, et al. Estimating aerosol particle removal in indoor air by ion-enhanced deposition[J]. Journal of Aerosol Science, 2023,173:106199.

[33]

DUAN M J, WANG L J, MENG X Y, et al. Negative ion purifier effects on indoor particulate dosage to small airways[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 19(1):264.

[34]

SAHAY R, MENDEZ J, WOZNIAK A, et al. Bipolar ionization and its contribution to smart and safe buildings[R]. A CABA White Paper, 2021.

[35]

LIU W, HUANG J, LIN Y, et al. Negative ions offset cardiorespiratory benefits of PM2.5 reduction from residential use of negative ion air purifiers[J]. Indoor Air, 2021, 31(1):220-228.

[36]

PEREZ V, ALEXANDER D D, BAILEY W H. Air ions and mood outcomes:a review and meta-analysis[J]. BMC Psychiatry, 2013,13:29.

[37]

DONG W, LIU S, CHU M T, et al. Different cardiorespiratory effects of indoor air pollution intervention with ionization air purifier:findings from a randomized,double-blind crossover study among school children in Beijing[J]. Environmental Pollution, 2019,254:113054.

[38]

ALEXANDER D D, BAILEY W H, PEREZ V, et al. Air ions and respiratory function outcomes:a comprehensive review[J]. Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine, 2013,12:14.

[39]

NIMMERICHTER A, HOLDHAUS J, MEHNEN L, et al. Effects of negative air ions on oxygen uptake kinetics,recovery and performance in exercise:a randomized,double-blinded study[J]. International Journal of Biometeorology, 2014, 58(7):1503-1512.

[40]

YAMAMOTO D, WAKO Y, KUMABE S, et al. Positive and negative ions by air purifier have no effects on reproductive function or postnatal growth and development in rats[J]. Fundamental Toxicological Sciences, 2015, 2(3):101-110.

[41]

FLETCHER L A, GAUNT L F, BEGGS C B, et al. Bactericidal action of positive and negative ions in air[J]. BMC Microbiology, 2007,7:32.

[42]

YU K P. Enhancement of the deposition of ultrafine secondary organic aerosols by the negative air ion and the effect of relative humidity[J]. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 2012, 62(11):1296-1304.

[43]

BERRY D, MAINELIS G, FENNELL D. Effect of an ionic air cleaner on indoor/outdoor particle ratios in a residential environment[J]. Aerosol Science and Technology, 2007, 41(3):315-328.

[44]

WARING M S, SIEGEL J A, CORSI R L. Ultrafine particle removal and generation by portable air cleaners[J]. Atmospheric Environment, 2008, 42(20):5003-5014.

[45]

WU C C, LEE G W M. Oxidation of volatile organic compounds by negative air ions[J]. Atmospheric Environment, 2004, 38(37):6287-6295.

[46]

CHEN L W, GONZE E, ONDARTS M, et al. Electrostatic precipitator for fine and ultrafine particle removal from indoor air environments[J]. Separation and Purification Technology, 2020,247:116964.

[47]

ZHANG Q, JENKINS P L. Evaluation of ozone emissions and exposures from consumer products and home appliances[J]. Indoor Air, 2017, 27(2):386-397.

[48]

AFSHARI A, MO J, TIAN E, et al. Testing portable air cleaning units-test methods and standards:a critical review[J]. REHVA Journal, 2022, 59(3):35-46.

[49]

DE L’ANSES A. Identification et analyse des différentes techniques d’épuration d’air intérieur émergentes[R]. 2017.

[50]

LEE B U, YERMAKOV M, GRINSHPUN S A. Removal of fine and ultrafine particles from indoor air environments by the unipolar ion emission[J]. Atmospheric Environment, 2004, 38(29):4815-4823.

[51]

LAZZERINI F T, ORLANDO M T, DE PRA W. Progress of negative air ions in health tourism environments applications[J]. Boletin Sociedad Espaňola Hidrologia Medica, 2018, 33(1):27-46.

[52]

PAWAR S D, MEENA G S, JADHAV D B. Air ion variation at poultry-farm,coastal,mountain,rural and urban sites in India[J]. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 2012, 12(3):444-455.

[53]

SHANG Y Y, WANG H B, TAO Y, et al. Temporal and spatial characteristics of atmospheric negative oxygen ions and the relationship with meteorological factors in Chishui[J]. Mid-Low Latitude Mountain Meteorology, 2018, 42(4):43-48. (in Chinese)

[54]

LI A, LI Q, ZHOU B, et al. Temporal dynamics of negative air ion concentration and its relationship with environmental factors:results from long-term on-site monitoring[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2022,832:155057.

Funding

Research Project of Marine Design and Research Institute of China

PDF (4239KB)

72

Accesses

0

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/