Negative and Positive Ions
Negative ions
have been called the 'Vitamins of the Air'. It is most important to keep
the balance of negative and positive ions indoors as close to that which
is present outdoors, where there are almost equal quantities of each (1000
negative ions to 1200 positive ions per cubic centimetre). In buildings
with S.B.S the balance is often 2 positive to 1 negative ions. When the
air is stripped of negative ions the symptoms on the front page are often
present. This imbalance is caused by:
Air Conditioning
ducting and fans destroy the negative ions and if insufficient fresh air
is introduced very few negative ions will be left by the end of a day.
Negative ions can be reduced from 1000 to 300 per cc within minutes of
switching an air conditioning on.
Static Electricity
created by non conductive synthetic building materials, wall coverings,
fabrics, carpets and furniture will cause positive charges and drain
negative ions from the air. Static electricity has also a powerful, but as
yet little understood, direct affect on the body's central nervous system.
It has been estimated that the proportion of synthetic materials to
natural materials in buildings has increased over the last 30 years from
25% to 75%. Unfortunately this unhealthy condition has been caused by the
lower cost, adaptability, insulation value and less fire risk of new
synthetic materials.
Electro Magnetic
Fields (EMF) are created by radiation from electrical supplies such as
high voltage cables, big transformers etc. and in offices from electrical
appliances such as computers, VDLTs, telephones etc. Static is also
created by EMF. One must remember the radiation is often strong behind a
TV or VDU screen and can penetrate even a thick wall.
Toxic Gases are also
positively charged. The EMF in front of many VDU screen converts oxygen
into a dangerous positive charged gas. Gases from photocopiers can be very
harmful to people. Harmful gases are also given off from Formaldehyde in
resin bonded chipboard, insulation materials, lacquers and glues and from
Vinyl Chloride in PVC flooring and Radon Gas from construction materials,
plastic surfaces and the earth.
Airborne Particles
Negative Ions attach themselves to small particles such as dust, tobacco
smoke and pollen and lose their charge. They also attach themselves to
particles of moisture in very humid rooms. | 
