Posts
The GT50 Air Purifier from Green Technologies uses the scientifically-acclaimed power of activated oxygen (ozone), in conjunction with negative ionization, to destroy E-coli, MRSA, Legionella, Candida, Staph, Salmonella and Giardia more effectively than filters or chemical disinfectants.
With the GT50 Small Space Plug In Ionic Air Purifier the effectiveness goes way beyond what you see and smell. In fact, it kills E-coli more than 3,000 times faster than chlorine. It is Ideal for bathrooms, laundry rooms, work stations, janitorial closets or kitchens. It even kills mold and mildew in bathrooms.
The GT50 Ionic Air Purifier is "designed to purify the air in areas up to 50 SF, the GT50 is ideal for bathrooms, laundry rooms, office work stations, janitorial closets, trash areas, pet areas, and under or next to the kitchen sink-anywhere harmful bacteria may pose a problem."
 | |
| The GT50 Up Close. Note the silver square at the bottom -- this is where the whoosh of ozone-smellin' air comes out. |
While small spaces like bathrooms and closets are listed as the best spaces for using this air purifier in, I found it to be impressively effective at purifying the air in my bedroom. So much that even after smoking, the air purifier, turned on high is able to remove almost all detectable scent of smoke in a short period of time after smoking!
I also don't see smoke linger in the air when I'm running the GT50 Ionic air Purifier. For such a little fella, I'm totally enthralled by its ability to do such an extensive cleansing job in my bedroom! In fact, I want one for every room in the house. It's absolutely the perfect solution to smoke and pet odors, as well as reducing my constant sneezing allergy.
This little air purifier features a dial for controlling the purification power -- off, minimum or maximum. When it's just me in my bedroom, I only have to keep it on the minimum setting and it does a perfect job. When others are in the room, especially when they're smoking and the door is closed, I run it on maximum and they can smoke all they want & I never get my typical migraine!
This has been a life saver for me, and one of the main reasons I was looking for an air purifier was to help with my headaches, the smoking that contributes to them, sneezy allergies, mold and well, the bacteria and virus reducing properties was icing on the cake!
I have a red ear slider (who takes up the entire top surface of a 6-drawer dresser with his aquarium set-up), 2 cats and a dog who stinks often.
The turtle alone is enough to stink up the room, much less with 2 cats and one small dog on top of it. They all stay in my one little bedroom most of the time & it always bothered me that they sometimes create an odor and I never really felt like the air was clean.
Needless to say, I really was amazed when I came home to enter a clean-smelling bedroom! I simply leave the GT50 Air Purifier running at almost all times, including while I'm gone. That way, when I come in, the air is already clean and ready for me.
I am now able to sleep and work in comfort.
Below are more details about the product, including studies and product specifications.
In case you're more of a visual/auditory kind of person, I've embedded Green Technologies video which quickly gives you most details on the GT50 Plug In Air Purifier. So, if you'd prefer to skip forward -- passing the detailed benefits and studies on the effects of ions and ozone and such, you can do so by scrolling down to those particular sections. Look out for the section of this review where I detail what improvements I've experienced with the use of the GT50! Also be sure to see my summary and "pros" section for a brief synopsis that sums up the greatness of this air-purifying product.
 |
| Gt50 Air Purifier (plugged in upside down) Note the dial for easily adjusting the settings from minimum to maximum. |
What are "Ions?"
Ions can be naturally created (by conditions of the atmosphere) or "man-made." High amounts of negative ions are often found in the air where water is typically present -- like the ocean, forest, waterfalls, after a thunderstorm, and even on mountains, etc. Places like the ocean and mountains are said to contain tens of thousands of negative ions, whereas the average home contains dozens or hundreds, many which register a "flat zero" (according to this WebMD article.)
According to a WebMD article, "Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy."
"Columbia University studies of people with winter and chronic depression show that negative ion generators relieve depression as much as antidepressants." - Study conducted by Columbia University, (Finley M. 1996.) Possible contributor to the above statements from "The Action of Air Ions on Bacteria," Journal of General Physiology. Kreuger, A.P., Berkeley: University of California Berkeley: 1957
Effects of ions -- the Positive and The Negative
Negative ions contain more electrons than protons. Positive ions, vice-versa -- they contain more protons than electrons, if that makes any sense to you (it didn't really speak to me on a deep level since I draw a blank on most science-related stuff.)
While positive ions are those such as allergens like dust and pollen have a negative effect on us, negative ions -- strangely enough -- are actually "good" for us.
One example is that negative ions increase oxygen to our brains, which is most certainly a "good" thing! Having an increased amount of oxygen flowing to the brain tends to result in increased mental energy, decrease in fatigue, which are positive effects of negative ions.
I like to remember which is which by thinking of it as an opposite -- when you hear the word "negative" we typically associate that with "bad," and for the word "positive," we think of "good." But when it comes to ions, negatives are the "good" guys.
It's interesting to know that many common indoor plants release negative ions, which explains why we often feel as if our indoor plants have had a positive effect on our home, mood, etc by lifting our spirits or improving the mood in our space.
Allergens like pollen and dust have a positive electrical charge. Negative ions have been thought to have a counter-active affect on these positively charged ions, such as allergens. Interesting stuff, huh? So, it makes sense that having negative ions in our space and environments would have a beneficial effect. In my own words, it's like the negative ions balance out the positive ions (such as the irritating allergens floating around in our air.)
Here's why negative ions are "good" for us:
When negative ions are introduced to the environment, they appear to counteract the allergenic effects of these positively charged ions.
Many believe (and reasonably so) that negative ions seem to improve mood and behavior, and overall general well-being.
"They also may protect against germs in the air, resulting in decreased irritation due to inhaling various particles that make you sneeze, cough, or have a throat irritation." -Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.
Many have stated an improvement in migraine headaches due to the use of negative ions. Negative ions have also been said to improve sleep.
What is "Activated Oxygen" or ("Ozone?")
Studies were done, testing ozone against air-borne bacteria. The findings: "Due to the fact that the ozone does not need to penetrate the cell wall, activated oxygen kills pathogens 3,125 times faster than chlorine, and without any chemical toxic residue left behind by the ozone. Ozone's kill rate is proportional to its residual concentration. In one study, at 500 to 600 micrograms of ozone per m3 for one hour, 99% reduction in all bacterial species was observed."
Cool Fact:
In the presence of ozonated air, one will detect what some folks commonly describe as an "electrical odor." I've heard it described that way a lot, but I personally always described the odor of ozonated things (including oils) as having a very sterile (think hospital smells) and slightly new plastic-y smell. Since I'd used ozonated oils like ozonated olive and coconut and jojoba oils in the past (on my skin for healing of wounds, acne, etc.), I noticed this scent right away when I plugged in the GT50 Air Purifier! It leaves a really pleasantly clean smell in the air.
Effects of Activated Oxygen/Ozone
My Results After Using GT50 Ion Air Purifier (Hint: No More Sneezy Allergies!)
I'll tell you one of the very first things that stood out to me in a huge way, from the very first night I used the GT50 Air Purifier: I woke up the next day, went about my day and for the first time in months, I didn't sneeze a single time! This is very big stuff, folks because I've been sneezing a good dozen+ times every single day, all day for months now. I kid you not, I was going through rolls of paper towels a day. I was totally shocked when time went on and I still hadn't sneezed! It's almost miraculous.
I had been hoping to find relief at some point in my life from this, so this is just one of the many reasons I call the GT50 Air Purifier a God-send!
I know of at least a few of my readers here who have severe allergies, so guys, take heart! There is a way to relieve some of that suffering.
Summary:
Absolutely the perfect product for indoor smokers, people with allergies, or pets, even for people whose pets have allergies! The GT50 Air Purifier is one of the only products in the world I feel comfortable saying every single person could use one, and likely benefit greatly from.
Air quality improvement is for everyone, even if you don't smoke inside, have zero allergies and no pets. The fact that it reduces viruses, bacteria, mold and mildew alone makes it worthy of everybody's home. Seriously, I can't think of a single home that probably would not benefit in some way or other from using one of these little fellas.
I adore that this air purifier is affordable (especially when you compare it to the standing, bulky filter-using HEPA air purifiers you see often.) I've been hunting for an air purifier for a year now, and the cheapest one I could find (that actually worked to remove odor and bacteria) was $150. That's really high! At around $53, I would be more than happy to purchase a couple of these GT50 plug-in ones for around the house.
 |
| Apologies for the blurry, low-quality image here. Had to operate my camera with no flash in order for the blue lighting to show. This image shows the blue lighting on the "C" and in the hole where the purification stuff comes out. |
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Absolutely user-friendly and hassle-free. The only thing you have to do is plug it in, and adjusts your setting (maximum, minimum or off), which is made easy with a turn-dial on the product.
- Virtually maintenance free. Since there are no batteries or filters that have to be replaced or cleaned, this device is basically something you simply plug in and never have to maintenance.
The small opening that blows out oxygen may need to be cleaned of dust and debris over time (if you have it in an area that collects that stuff easily). If this happens, the user manual recommends simply damping a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol (not saturating!) and spinning it around at the hole's opening. Very simple.
- Works very well to clean the air, even in medium or the average bedroom. It may not remove something like cigarette smoke as soon as the smoke begins to fill the air (it takes a while to really start working at it), but it reduces the lingering smokeand the odor of it significantly! So much that I can walk into the room while someone has just smoked and not be able to tell right off.
The smoke that would typically linger, and the intensity of it is reduced greatly.
- Low power consumption. Takes less energy to run than a night-light.
- Travel-Friendly size. The GT50 is small enough to travel along with you (for use in hotel rooms with a 50 square foot coverage.)
- Uses safe levels of purification. Great to know that the manufacturer was fully aware of all the possible effects (health-wise) of using their product, so they made sure to create one that used safe and healthy levels of ozone. (Too much activated oxygen/ozone can have negative health effects.)
-Has a Blue back-light ringing the opening, and around the front of the device, letting you know when it's on and working.
GT50 works by using negative ions and generating activated oxygen (ozone).
-Consumes less than 7-watts of power.
Specs:
- Comes with 90 day limited warranty.
- 120 ACV - 60 Hz
- 10 - 25 watts
-Coverage : up to 50 square ft.
Studies
Negative electric ions are also said to even improve our immunity, making our bodies more resistant to illness while also strengthening autonomic nerve functioning, reinforcing collagen and also improving metabolism. -The above, a "Reprint from Economy Daily News (January 30, 2002") comes a frequently mentioned statement that circulates regarding the topic of negative ions.
However, I've not been able to dig up anything under the name/title of "Economy Daily News," and therefore cannot confirm its legitimacy. However, I wanted to toss this statement -- whether it was ever actually made by this Economy Daily News or not -- out there in case someone has insight on it, and because it does sound very plausible. If anybody has a source for this statement, please do turn me onto it.
Negative ions "neutralize pollutants."
Note: the source "Negative ion regeneration for youthfulness and longevity by John Heinerman, Ph.D." is not available online (other than via humans typing it up on forums and blogs, so far as I can tell. So, while I would like to put the possibility of this effect of negative ions out there, I want you guys to remain cautious about statements that have this "unable to confirm total legitimacy" note aside them, like this one does. In the meantime, I'll hunt this source down. Just thought you guys would still appreciate the mention of it being a common statement by folks in the negative ion biz.
"Changes in migration of calcium ions which can either bring calcium ions to heal a broken bone in half the usual time, or can help move calcium away from painful, arthritic joints." -Dr. Robert O. Becker, pioneering researcher and author of the book, The Body Electric and Cross Currents
- A recent study by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture found that ionizing a room led to 52% less dust in the air, and 95% less bacteria in the air (since many of the pollutants found in the air reside on floating dust particles).
The use of negative ions was even found by scientists to reduce the presence of airborne viruses by about 40%. A study featured in the 1987 issue also showed the negative ions are free from any adverse side effects. -Journal of Applied Microbiology
Negative Ions, according to one guy, are said to be effective against "influenza, asthma and especially bronchial disease." -Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.
Here's some impressive scientific test results regarding the efficiency of ionic air purifiers (taken from the Green Technologies' website, where more can be found.)
"Wein Mini-Mate and VI-2500 Ionic Air Purifiers were found efficient in removing fine and ultra-fine particles from indoor air."
Source: Lee, B.U., Yermakov, M., and Grinshpun, S.A. (2004). Removal of Fine and Ultrafine Particles from Indoor Air Environments. . . . Atmospheric Environment.
"Mini-Mate, VI-2500, Auto-Mate and Sani-Mate shown to significantly reduce contamination in the breathing zone."
Source: Grinshpun, S.A., Mainelis, G., Trunov, Adhikari, A., Reponen, T., and Willeke, K. (2005). Evaluation of Ionic Air Purifiers . . . in Confined Indoor Spaces.
"Mini-Mate, VI-2500 and Auto-Mate, Sani-Mate reduced even virus sized airborne particles."
Source: Grinshpun, S.A., Lee, B.U., and Yermakov, M. (2004). Indoor Air Purification by Ionic Emission. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition.
Further Sources Mentioned in this review article, and some that weren't (for your own research and educational purposes)
Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author of The Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research at the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.
http://www.biofircenter.com/info/tag/brain
Kreuger, A. P. (1954). "The Biological Mechanisms of Air Ion Action." Journal of General Physiology. Berkeley: University of California.
Finley, M. (1996). "The PC Blahs: Do You Have Ion-Poor Blood?" Future Shoes.
Sulman, F. G. (1974). "Serotonin
Migraine in Climatic Heat Stress, Its Prophylexis and Treatment".
Elsinore, Denmark: Proceedings of the International Headache Symposium
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (1998). AAAAI Patient/Public Resource Center.
1 comment:
I have never seen a product like this before. It looks amazing. Not only have they put it in an attractive casing but it's so functional. Seems like you could even use it around the house. I also love that it's eco-friendly.
Post a Comment