Bipolar Ionization
Representation of an ionic compound, salt.
Bipolar ionization splits molecules in the air like water vapor into positively and negatively charged ions. Ions occur naturally, and are atoms that have either more or less electrons than usual. These opposite charges attract one another to form a compound. A common ionic compound that we see in our daily lives is salt (sodium chloride). In this compound, sodium is positively charged (having one less electron) while chlorine is negatively charged (having one more electron).
Bipolar ionization works to create ions similar to salt, only using air molecules like water vapor (gas form of liquid water). When water vapor molecules are hit by the high energy of the machine, it will split into O2- and H+, similar to when it splits into H+ and OH-. These will sometimes recombine into reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH) that are capable of removing hydrogen from other molecules, such as those that make up an essential part of a pathogen.
In the event of bipolar ionization, the positive and negative ions surround air particles. This added mass helps the air particles to fall to the floor and be pulled towards the building’s air filter to be removed from the air. Furthermore, as the positive and negative ions surround air particles that include pathogens (e.g. viruses, bacteria, mold spores) the ions pull hydrogen away from the pathogen.
In the case of a virus, the hydrogen is pulled away from its protein coat, or capsid. The hydrogen is a key component to the actual structure of the viral protein coat, and without it, the virus cannot infect. Think of the outer proteins of a virus as keys. They have to be able to fit the right lock (proteins on our cell’s surface). With a change in the key’s shape that resulted from the removal of hydrogen, it can no longer fit in the lock and infect us.
Image adapted from Tierno 2017
Because of the capacity of bipolar ionization to render viruses harmless, many businesses like restaurants, medical facilities, and schools have already begun to install the devices into their buildings to help protect those inside. Because of its ability to cause viruses to lose their infectivity, many are claiming that the technology will also be able to affect SARS-COv-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in the same manner, making it a priceless technology for businesses to invest in.
And it’s not just pathogens that bipolar ionization helps to eliminate. In fact, the ions produced through the technology eliminate harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and allergens like pollen.
Bipolar Ionization and HEPA filters are the perfect pair for COVID-19
When ozone-free bipolar ionization is partnered with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter plus germicidal UVC, the air has maximum protection.
Bipolar ionization with HEPA filtration work well together.