How Does Bipolar Ionization Work?
BPI technology uses electric voltage to convert oxygen molecules to charged atoms that inactivate airborne contaminants. These negatively and positively charged atoms, called ions, are effective against viruses, bacteria, and mold.
As a bonus, they also neutralize volatile organic compounds, odors, and allergy- causing dander. Ions are naturally present in pristine air, but pollution and other human activity deplete them. Depending on the contaminant, BPI replaces these charged particles with non-volatile gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
BPIs inactivate airborne pathogens in two main ways. First, the charged particles surround the microbe and break it down. In the case of viruses, the ions induce a chemical reaction on the cell membrane surface. They envelop the COVID-19 virus and puncture the protein spikes on its membrane, neutralizing them. Second, the ions attach to contaminants and enlarge them enough to be trapped by the HVAC system filters. The ionic load also makes some particles heavy enough to fall to surfaces where they can be cleaned away or further inactivated.