How Do Ions Work?
Fresh Air & Negative Ions One of the distinct differences between “fresh” outdoor air and “stale” indoor air is the balance of negative ions versus positive ions. The freshest outdoor air has high concentrations of negative ions specifically, oxygen molecules with an extra electron attached and relatively few positive ions (oxygen with an electron stripped away). High concentrations of negative ions are found in the most invigorating outdoor places evergreen forests, around waterfalls, on beaches with crashing surf, or anywhere after thunderstorms, when the air seems almost crisp and spicy with freshness! At the other extreme, positive ions are found in high concentrations inside closed, air-conditioned and heated buildings, and outdoors in cities during rush hours (pollution depletes negative ions). Many believe that this balance of negative ions versus positive ions may someday be controlled indoors just as we currently regulate indoor air’s humidity and temperature. In this way, we
