Indoor Fountain
Why Are There So Few Negative Ions in
the City?
This disparity between "city air" and "country air" actually has much to
do with the modern devices we use, and even the fabrics we wear.
Synthetic materials like plastics, and man made fibers like nylon carry
their own positive charge which can neutralize the negative charge of
beneficial ions in the air. Electronic devices, or more specifically,
the electromagnetic fields they produce, also have the effect of
neutralizing negative ions in the air. The buildings in which we spend
most of our time also tend to be sealed to the outside world, so they
don't allow for proper ventilation. The average office, typically a
sealed environment with an abundance of computers and plastics, will
generally have a very low negative ion count; only a few hundred
negative ions per cubic centimeter. Since Americans spend approximately
90% of their day indoors in environments like this, its no wonder we
feel better on a hike in the mountains.
What Are The Effects of Negative Ions?
When negative ions are dispersed in the air and inhaled by human beings,
they can have a profound effect on health, and particularly on mood. The
effects of negative ions are fairly well known in Europe, where some
institutions like hospitals are actually required to ionize their air.
The root causes of why negative ions are good for us are not precisely
known, but the effects have been proven in many clinical trials. Those who spend time in
environments with a high concentration of negative ions are less likely
to be depressed, are less prone to migraine headaches, have more energy, and
simply feel better throughout the day. Negative ions can also improve
the quality of the air in our homes.
