​Ionizer technology comes under a range of names: "ionizing air purifiers", "bi-polar ionization", "air ionizers", "ion generators" and "ionic air purifiers". Additionally, there are air purifiers called “electrostatic air purifiers" which work similarly to ionizers. Collectively, they are termed "ionizers".

​Ionizers make multiple claims about how well they will clean the air in your room, kill viruses and bacteria, prevent allergy symptoms, provide “freshness,” or eliminate odors. 

​In the past, these claims have been considered doubtful, not least because the ions have very limited range outside of the device, and have been subject to many different analyses / studies which have failed to justify those claims.

​Now, thanks to detailed testing by Boeing, at least one aspect of their performance is now clear, ionizers are ineffective against viruses, bacteria and mold.

​Boeing tested 'Needle Point Bi-Polar Ionization', as that version of the technology is licenced for aircraft, and the supplier had made strong claims of between 69% and 99% eradication of a range of airborne viruses and bacteria after 60 minutes, and also 'Corona Discharge Air Ionization'.

Air Ionization Disinfection - Huntsville Laboratory Testing  
The airvorne norovirus surrogate MS2 Bacteriophage showed no observable reduction  over a 60 minute interval. There were no observable surface reductions in Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterobacter cloacae over a 60 minute exposure duration. 

Air Ionization Disinfection – University of Arizona Laboratory Testing
​"Usually a 90% reduction is desired to be confident that a product is having any significant anti-microbial effect. Under the test conditions of this study none of the viruses achieved this level of reduction."

Air Ionization Disinfection – New 787-10 Ground Testing 
Escherichia coli and MS2 Bacteriophage reductions in 30-60 minutes of treatment were much lower than the desired 3 log10 (99.9%) cabin disinfection, indeed they were generally < 0.1 log10 with higher values attributed to either experimental error or high levels of ozone.

Boeing's Conclusions
Boeing conclude that its limited testing was unable to replicate supplier results in terms of antimicrobial effectiveness and that the systems were unable to properly deliver and maintain sufficiently high ion levels in the airplane. Similarly, laboratory-based tests did not show proper rates of disinfection, even with high ion concentrations. ​

​The UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has produced timely advice on the effectiveness and safety (or otherwise) of air cleaning technologies and devices in the context of fighting COVID-19.

​While the advice focusses on pre-Airora technologies, it is a valuable contribution as it brings together, in one place, the various scientific concerns that older technologies, including HEPA and similar filters, UV-C, Ionisers, PCO and PECO, plasma, electrostatic precipitation, UV-A & UV-B and chemical sprays, are really not up to the job.

​As can be seen from the above summary, SAGE has little positive to say about pre-Airora air cleaning technologies, limiting their positive recommendations to ‘HEPA and UV-C type filters might help if – see long list of conditions!’.

Given the poor performance of pre-Airora technologies, let us now look at how Airora’s new technology meets those questions that SAGE poses when considering the ability of air cleaners to suppress airborne pathogens safely and effectively within a building:

Is there evidence that Airora is demonstrably effective against SARS-Cov-2?
Airora’s technology has been demonstrated to be highly effective against MS2 Coliphage, an accepted surrogate (as agreed by the CDC & EPA) for SARS-Cov-2. Indeed, the UK HPA Laboratory at Porton Down measured Airora’s technology achieving a Log 6 kill (99.9999%) of high concentration airborne MS2 in under 5 minutes.

Is there multiplicity of relevant, accurate and independent test data as to Airora’s efficacy, both in the laboratory and the ‘real world’?
Yes

Has Airora demonstrated that it does not generate secondary chemical products which lead to health effects such as respiratory or skin irritation?
Yes, uniquely amongst air cleaner technologies, Airora and its expert advisors have identified the entire inventory of secondary chemical products and can confirm that none are known to be hazardous.

Does Airora’s technology create unintended consequences, such as noise, changes in temperature or drafts? No, Airora is not a filter requiring a powerful fan, it disperses its active ingredients gently and quietly.

Can Airora’s technology mitigate short range person-to-person viral transmission?
Given the log 6 reduction of MS-2 achieved in minutes we expect so (and are working on testing to demonstrate this effect).

Is Airora’s technology sensitive to environmental conditions?
No, within normal ranges Airora’s performance is not sensitive to temperature or relative humidity.

Is Airora’s technology sensitive to ventilation rates, room size, room shape, device positioning within the space, air flow within the room etc.?
No, unlike filters of all types, Airora’s technology is not sensitive to air change rates of up to five per hour, an unusually high figure, nor is it sensitive to room shape nor air flow within the room because its active ingredients are not dispersed by air movement but by molecular diffusion. Device position within the space is also not generally critical. Room size is important in that rooms should be no larger, nor smaller, than that indicated in the individual Airora product specification.

Does any ozone produced by Airora remain below 0.2 ppm?
Yes. Airora both produces trace levels and breaks down ozone, preventing its build-up, ensuring that levels remain far below not just the 0.2ppm limit referred to by SAGE, but well below even the tightest regulation and / or recommendations (0.05ppm) worldwide.

Does any formaldehyde produced by Airora remain below 0.2 ppm?
Yes. Airora both produces trace levels and breaks down formaldehyde, preventing its build-up, ensuring that levels remain far below not just the 0.2ppm limit referred to by SAGE, but well below even the tightest regulation and / or recommendations (0.08ppm) worldwide.

Does Airora produce ultra-fine and nano particles?
Yes. Airora both produces and removes (vaporises) ultra-fine and nano particles and testing has shown that there is no build-up of ultra-fines.
​
Is there any UV-C ‘seepage’?
Our devices have been tested for UV-C leakage in accordance with BS EN ISO 15858:2016.

How Fresh Air Fights Infections such as Flu and Coronaviris
You might think that going outside in the cold makes you more likely to ‘catch a cold’. But in fact, colds, the flu and COVID-19 spread much more easily inside. Let us explain …

How are infections such as Flu and Coroanvirus spread?
Both flu (and the common cold) and Coronaviruses such as COVID-19 are caused by viruses, which are spread through exposure to respiratory secretions (i.e. an infected person’s sneezes or coughs). The virus can be spread through the air, personal contact (such as a handshake), or by touching contaminated objects.

How long do these viruses remain infectious?

​As you can see, these can  hang around indoors for up to 72 hours – and people can shed huge numbers of cold / flu viruses into the air which can in turn settle onto surfaces: 

Nature’s outdoors remedy - Hydroxyls
However, outside, you’re much less likely to catch these viruses. That’s because Hydroxyl Radicals, which occur naturally and abundantly in the air outside, kill all human pathogens on contact, including cold and flu viruses.
Hydroxyl Radicals are commonly known as ‘Nature’s Detergent’, and we think they are pretty amazing!

Airora product development has continually focused on safety. In June 2020, the Airora Professional PAW100/500 product passed an IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) test at the UK's Building Research Establishment (BRE) with flying colours.

The IAQ test measured the amounts of some potentially harmful substances in the ambient air (representing a typical room) before and after using Airora Professional. 

Those substances were: CO (Carbon Monoxide), CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), NOx (Nitrogen Oxides), NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide), Ozone, PM1, PM2.5, PM10 particulates, Formaldehyde,  and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

To pass the test, the air after using the Airora device could not exceed the IAQ guidelines for safe levels for any of these pollutants.  

The results demonstrated that Airora products meet IAQ standards across the board.

Moreover, the amounts of every substance measured were far smaller than the maximum safe levels. 

We're delighted to be able to confirm that Airora is a people-safe technology.

​For detailed results of our IAQ tests, please contact us.

We will soon be conducting efficacy testing of our new Airora products. Please follow us to stay informed.