Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice. All statements are merely the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to indoor air purification.
Clarifion Air Ionizer is an air purification device that’s more affordable than most air purifiers. The brand describes it as a “mini but mighty” air device that can “help keep homes fresh.”
But are air ionizers as effective as air purifiers? Are they safe? How does an air ionizer work? And is Clarifion better or worse than popular air purifiers like AirDoctor?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze clinical studies on air ionization to give our take on whether or not it’s a safe and effective option for improving indoor air quality.
We'll share our concerns about ozone emission, feature a video showing how Clarifion works, and compare the brand to popular air cleaning brands like AirDoctor to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Air ionizers successfully reduce dust counts
- Ionizers can generate ozone which is harmful to humans when inhaled
- We do not currently recommend Clarifion Air Ionizer
Are Air Ionizers Dangerous?
Ionization is a legitimate air purification technology that has been studied in clinical trials.
A medical review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences examined the effects of air ionization.
The good news is that air ionizers appear to be effective for removing contaminant matter from air.
Inhalable dust counts were reduced by around 50% with their use, which is a benefit for allergy sufferers, and particulate matter was reduced by over 50%.
Inhaled particulate matter may irritate the lungs and contribute to cardiovascular disease, so this is also a health benefit.
The main health risk of ionizers is their generation of ozone. This compound is made of three oxygen molecules, and “is a powerful oxidant and may seriously harm our health” according to the study authors.
A clinical trial published in the Indoor Air journal found that an ozone-generating air purifier actually increased the number of particulates in the air, and the researchers concluded:
“These results add evidence to the potentially harmful effects of ozone generation in residential environments.”
Based on the available evidence, we do not consider air ionizers to be safe if they emit ozone.
Air ionizers may may be effective for reducing airborne contaminants and allergens, but it seems illogical to use an air purification device that can emit oxidants into the air.
It’s unclear to us whether or not Clarifion’s devices emit ozone. We cannot find this information on their website, and we hope that in the future the brand clarifies this, because it's a consumer safety issue.
How do Air Ionizers Work?
Air ionizers electrically charge particulate matter in the air, which allows the matter to “deposit” on walls, floors and other surfaces, and removes it from the circulating air.
A YouTube video published by the Home Air Guides channel is less than three minutes long and visually represents how air ionizers work:
Are Air Purifiers a Better Option?
Air purifiers have a simpler mechanism of action than air ionizers.
Purifiers physically trap particulate matter in a filter device, similar to how water purifiers work.
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers are well-studied and clinically shown to be effective.
A 2021 medical review analyzed the effectiveness of air purifiers for controlling indoor contaminant levels.
HEPA filtration was found to reduce indoor air particulate matter between 37% and 64% depending on device. No side effects or adverse outcomes were reported.
As we explained in our review of the Air Doctor purifier device, we consider HEPA air purifiers to be the best option on the market for reducing indoor air contaminant levels.
Air purifiers seem to have only upsides: they reduce air pollutant levels while emitting no questionable contaminants into air.
Air ionizers have the downside of potential ozone emission.
Clarifion vs. Popular Air Cleaners
Here's how Clarifion compares to other popular air cleaning/purification brands in terms of healthiness, in our opinion:
Molekule
While this air purification brand is worse than most of its competitors (ranked last in an independent test of efficacy), it still uses legitimate technology and should improve indoor air quality at least somewhat.
No health risks or ozone generation, so we consider Molekule to be the healthier choice.
Winner: Molekule
Azuna
Azuna is used more for odor elimination (think a healthier Febreze) than air purification.
The brand uses tea tree oil to improve the smell of indoor air, and at least functionally, it's effective, as we documented in our Azuna reviews article.
There's no downside health risk like with Clarifion, so we consider Azuna to be the safer option.
Winner: Azuna
AirDoctor
Standard HEPA air purification device.
Should significantly reduce indoor air pollution, so this brand beats Clarifion from both a potential efficacy and safety standpoint.
Winner: AirDoctor
Clarifion Air Ionizer Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Should reduce contaminant matter from air
- Should help purify air
- More affordable than HEPA filters
Cons:
- Ioniziers can generate ozone which is harmful to health
- Unclear if Clarifion devices emit ozone
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested
- Less healthy than competitors
