Air Purifiers

I just bought a oscillating fan with ionizer and i was wondering what process is the air going through to put ions in the air.

I’m moving into my own place soon, and I’d like to get a cat. I do have an allergy to cat dander, and I’ve read that cat dander allergies are worse than dog dander allergies because the allergens tend to stick to clothes and fabrics (like curtains and carpets). I understand ionizers work by sucking in air particles and giving the pollutants a negative charge so they "cling" to surfaces and can be cleaned up when the carpet is vacuumed or the drapes are washed. If this is the case, will an air ionizer really help my cat dander allergy at all, since it seems like the allergenic particles wouldn’t necessarily be airborne?

Which is more effective in ‘cleaning’ normal house air?

Thanks.

My friend just moved to an apartment and is concerned about off gassing and indoor air pollution; we are in a friendly debate as to what strategy [or combination approaches] is best to address her concerns. Neither of us are engineers or technical. I know there are plants [and I have that list] that help clean and purify indoor air. Also the natural allergens in our geographical area are generally high.

I’m moving into my own place soon, and I’d like to get a cat. I do have an allergy to cat dander, and I’ve read that cat dander allergies are worse than dog dander allergies because the allergens tend to stick to clothes and fabrics (like curtains and carpets). I understand ionizers work by sucking in air particles and giving the pollutants a negative charge so they "cling" to surfaces and can be cleaned up when the carpet is vacuumed or the drapes are washed. If this is the case, will an air ionizer really help my cat dander allergy at all, since it seems like the allergenic particles wouldn’t necessarily be airborne?

Are they the same? Or do they work differently?

Just to clarify a prior question, I had; I’ve heard that ionized air can be potentially harmful (i.e. free radicals) so I want to avoid air cleaners that ionize air. The 3M Filtrete electrostatic polyolefin-based filters (very common in furnace filters, and now as part of a standalone air purifier) are pre-charged with a static charge to attract dirt, dust, and particles of inflowing air.

My question is, as non-ionized (regular) air travels through the filter (via a simple fan, there is no ionizer involved) is there any way that it could pick up any of the charge on the electrostatic filter, or that the air can become somewhat ionized in any way or form after it leaves the filter? Now, AFAIK, air doesn’t conduct charges well, so my guess would be no, but I’d like to have an expert opinion.

It’s a relatively new office (completely renovated fall 2006), with a new HVAC equipment/etc. I just find that I feel drowsy, less alert, with perhaps a slight reduction in my ability to concentrate, when the HVAC is blowing (it cycles on and off; maybe on for 5-10 min and then off for 30, etc..). I’m sure it’s not a filter problems, since there’s no perceptible odors and everything is brand new. Also, the sensation varies; usually I’m not as bothered when the ventilation/AC is functioning early in the morning (ie. 10 AM); the circulating air feels more "refreshing" then, as opposed to the afternoon when it feels more "stale" (but this could be somewhat psychological).

Any ideas on what I could do to fix the problem? Any natural/organic air fresheners that could help? I don’t want to use an ionizer ; I once read that air conditioners deplete the air of negative ions, but this seems like a foolish/baseless theory.

i’ve got allergies and so does my daughter. every morning, we wake up with a runny nose. if we stay in the room too long, it gets worse. our room is on the 2nd floor and by the main road. it’s noisy and dusty outside. we use an airconditioner but living here in a philippine city, means living in a dusty city. moving out is a big step that we might not be able to take. any suggestions? i’m thinking of getting an air filter.do air filters like bionaire really work? what’s the difference between air ionizer and air filter? what else can i do?

i need to use an air purifier because i own birds that produce a large amount of dander. i am looking for info on whether to get a purifier that ionizes or not.