Can a vacuum cleaner cause negative ionisation?

Hi,
I have discovered that by leaving my vacuum cleaner on for long periods of time, that I feel a LOT better. My nasal passages clear up and I just feel much better in general.

Aside from the normal air filtering, is it possible that the electric motor could be causing some negative ionisation of the air?

Thanks,
Greg.

[greg199]

Oops - sorry for the double post everyone! :(

Greg.

[bsmsl]

I doubt that you are feeling better because of ionization.  That usually means that ozone is produced which would have the oposite affect.

Some brands of vacuums do promote using their machine as an air filtration systme.  Mine does, but the machine gets too hot and causes other issues that way.

[greg199]

Thanks.

I've received a response from a manufacturer of negative ion generators, and they said the reason I am feeling better is probably simply due to the cleaner air, and that usually, electrical appliances produce POSITIVE ions.  They said that a negative ion generator would have the same affect, but only silently. (I suppose it's expected that they would say this though)

The increase in well being by just running my vacuum cleaner is astonishing. I have placed an order for an air purifier, and assuming it works, I'll probably invest in more units for other rooms as well.  

I am also going to do as much as I can to treat my allergies, so that I feel as well as possible when I am not at home.  

An allergist once told me that air purifiers don't work at home, because we can't seal our homes up well enough. I don't think this is always correct!

I do know that I am highly allergic to dust mites so perhaps this is my main problem. I was advised to keep my house very clean, however it is very time consuming to do everything they said and I think air purifiers will be the main solution for me.

Greg.

[bsmsl]

I am glad that you got some answers.  I strongly urge you to stay away for ionizing purifiers thought.  They really do produce ozone which is a polutant.  You will be going from one problem to another.

Feel better and enjoy your cleaner air.

[greg199]

Thanks again.

I bought a Sharp unit, that used conventional filtering plus a technology they call "Plasma Cluster Ion" generation, which actually generates both positive and negative ions. I assume Sharp know what they're doing and it does not generate enough ozone to be a problem. In any case, the ion generator can be turned off.

It's working very well so far. Today I have it on with the ion generator off, and I can still feel great benefit.

It's amazing how different the filtered air is!  Do most people without allergies really feel like this most of the time? Life really isn't fair, is it. :)

Greg.

[bsmsl]

lol...  Thank you for that laugh.  It

my understanding that those without allergies do feel like that all the time.  My husband complains and complains when his head is stuffy and the mucous drains from one sinus to the other.  I am like, "What??  That is an every day occurance for me.  Get over it already!!" I might be a little more compassionate if he didn't call my a hypochondriac.  He gets NO sympathy from me when he is sick anymore.

and NO, it certainly isn't fair.  As a math teacher I tell my students that there are only two things in life that are fair - equations and fractions.  So we get to deal with it.  :(