Here is the link to the site that has some info about plasma technology. I will be curious to hear your thoughts on this (btw, I also checked that info that Sharp has on its Canadian site -much more useful than what they have on the US site). I don't know how reputable or how reliable this Allergo Healthcare site is. It looks like that are selling/marketing some air-purifying products that use different than plasmacluster technology. So, obviously that have a bit of bias/agenda. However, they do provide links to what they claim is peer reviewed research on the subject. Of course, that in itself does not mean that Plasmacluster system can be harmful. But, it was enough for me to investigate if I can simply turn that system off in my car if I want to do it.
http://www.allergy.com.sg/aircareFAQ.html#ozone
and here is the relevant section from that site - for whatever it's worth:
"What exactly is plasma cluster technology?
Plasma cluster technology involves the generation of positive H+and negative O2- ions (also called superoxides) alternatively. These ion clusters are blown into the air and they diffuse to various parts of the room.
These ion clusters are attracted to airborne particulates (actually any matter), and collide with the particulates and also to one another. The collision of 2H+ and O2- creates very reactive OH radicals, otherwise known as hydroxyl radicals. Hydrogen peroxide (H202) may also be formed, but these will also finally turn into OH radicals.
These OH hydroxyl radicals are very unstable, and each OH group will extract one hydrogen (H) atom from anything it comes into contact with, forming water (H20). Extracting one hydrogen atom from a single-celled organism like bacteria will kill it. That is what makes plasma cluster technology so effective at killing single-celled organisms.
Fortunately, humans are not single-celled organisms. Our lungs, though extremely sensitive, are not made of single cells, and we will not die when exposed to OH radicals. However, the unstable OH radicals have been linked to diseases in humans including cancer (see below).
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If OH radicals are carcinogenic, why is its use not banned?
Like ozone (which is another harmful ROS, that is already listed by National Environmental Agency and World Health Organization as a contaminant harmful to humans), OH radicals do exist naturally in the atmosphere. However, the atmospheric concentration of OH radicals are small.
As important oxidants, both ozone and OH radicals play an important part in killing germs and pollution control within the atmosphere. However, this does not change the fact that human exposure to them presents a health risk. Afterall, it is the same properties that are so effective at killing single-celled organisms that present a risk to humans.
First, let us review the links between hydroxyl radicals, which is part of the harmful free radical family, with cell mutations, DNA destruction, various diseases including allergies (asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis) and cancer:
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (peer-reviewed medical journal). Concludes that "there is ample evidence that allergic disorders, such as asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, are mediated by oxidative stress," which is caused by excessive exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS - hydroxyl radicals are part of this family), which leads to "a damage of proteins, lipids, and DNA." Mentions "environmental exposure to air pollution and cigarette smoke" as a source of such oxidative stress, thus clearly linking airborne ROS like OH radicals as "air pollution", not something good for the family. >>more
Columbia University Health Sciences Division, in an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) sponsored research, found that arsenic causes cancer by first spurring production of superoxide, very unstable free radical that is quickly turned into hydrogen peroxide. This in turn breaks down to "hydroxyl radicals, extremely reactive and damaging free radicals that attack cell membranes and DNA to create mutations." >>more
Life Extension Foundation reports on the devastating effects of hydroxyl radicals on the human body: "It reacts at diffusion rates with virtually any molecule found in its path including macromolecules such as DNA, membrane lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. In terms of DNA, the hydroxyl radical can induce strand breaks as well as chemical changes in the deoxyribose and in the purine and pyrirnidine bases." >>more
University of Natal: hydroxyl radicals are "highly reactive, oxidising most organic compounds at almost diffusion controlled rates (K> 10 per molar per second, Dorfman and Adams 1973). Due to its high reactivity it is indiscriminate, reacting with the first substrate available. It therefore has a high destructive and mutanogenic potential." >>more
University of Canterbury research links free radicals, including hydroxyl radicals with coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, alzheimers and cataracts. Cancer genes may be switched on by hyrdoxyl radicals causing mutations in our DNA. >>more
Biochemical Journal research reports that ROS (including OH hydroxyl radicals and ozone) "posess many characteristics of carcinogens, and mutagenesis could contribute to the initiation of cancer. >>more
Smoking is linked to lung cancer, but it took several decades before firm action was taken, and even today it is not banned - it is just mostly controlled to protect non-smokers from secondary smoke. Partly because smoking does not guarantee lung cancer.
Similarly, exposure to OH radicals does not necessarily guarantee cell mutation, cancer and other age-related diseases.*
* Notwithstanding, as there has yet been no study that demonstrate that the use of OH radicals in air cleaners causes cancer (as seen in the tobacco industry, such studies require deep commitment by way of time, budget and independence), no one should conclude a priori that the use of such an air cleaner will lead to cancer."
Re: Plasmacluster Ionizer climate control
Re: Plasmacluster Ionizer climate control
Re: Plasmacluster Ionizer climate control
When I tried out the camry hybrid the driver side air vent was able to be totally closed...A technician I spoke to today said that the blower fan is on the right side..Confusing.....
