Original story

WAO Press Release, for publication after 00.00 UT, 9.1.2013

World Allergy Organization demands Dustaway ionisator/vacuum system in all public buildings

The World Allergy Organization is recommending to the WHO that the Dustaway ionisator and vacuum system be made compulsory in all public buildings.

The WAO is naturally seriously concerned at the increasing numbers of allergy and asthma sufferers worldwide. Whilst the most serious problem lies in the growth of new chemical compounds, various dusts and airborne particles are nevertheless a major factor in causing discomfort, particularly to asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis sufferers. The WAO has calculated that around EUR 200,000 million goes to the treatment of asthma-related complaints each year. This does not include the enormous costs of lost working-hours.

The University of Liverpool and the Consumer Association have together developed a device which radically reduces the level of airborne dust in indoor climates. The device has been patented, and is known as Dustaway.

The basic operating principle is simple: the ionisator instrumentally boosts the negative ion content of the ambient air, causing the negatively charged dust particles to fall to the floor. Heating elements in the floor contain two charges moving from wall to wall across the space. The first - negative - charge lifts the dust slightly clear of the floor, while the following positive charge carries it to the wall where it is removed by vacuum suction. According to field tests the device can remove with a single sweep as much as 80% of the dust particles in a small space, and more than 60% even in large areas such as concert- or sports halls.

The WAO points out that the problem of fumes, dust and other irritants has meant that a large number of asthma sufferers can no longer attend large concerts, sports competitions, or mass events such as trade fairs except virtually by means of the datanets. Many asthmatic children are also at risk from dust present in indoor sports and recreational areas such as gymnasiums. The Organization has calculated that for instance in the EU countries the costs of treating asthma patients could be radically reduced if public spaces were to be fitted with Dustaway systems.

Many asthma sufferers, and in particular the parents of children with the complaint, not to mention those who are tired of the endless round of vacuuming and dusting in the home, will also be pleased to learn that their lives may be made easier in years to come. In spite of fierce opposition from the manufacturers of conventional vacuum cleaners, development is well under way for a household version of the device.

Further details are available from Marian Innovitsh, Chief Information Officer of the WAO, on sat.web.UN-11-947-WAO.inno

Question to Marian Innovitsh on sat.web

Exactly how can the World Allergy Organization guarantee that the electrical charges present in the air and under the floor are not themselves equally hazardous to people’s health?

Engine Stop Newsletter sat.web.SI-90-640-RA

Answer to the above

Ionisators and ionisation therapy have been used in air cleaning and filtering since the 1980s and have not been found to cause any ill-effects. In fact the opposite is true: the real dangers lurk in the dust particles floating in the air we breathe. Equally, the underfloor charges are so weak that they have not been shown to cause any adverse effects. On the other hand, some problems have been encountered, in that even these weak charges can affect low-current cabling, for instance for communications or loudspeaker systems. Warnings of this are nevertheless given to all those purchasing and installing the equipment.

Marian Innovitsh sat.web.UN-11-947-WAO.inno

Toteuma-arvio 2026

Toteuma lyhyesti

  • Ilmiön toteuma: 3/5
  • Toteuma viiden vuoden tarkkuudella: kyllä; arviointi-ikkuna on 2008–2018
  • Toteuma väljemmällä aikahorisontilla: kyllä, mutta eri painotuksella
  • Ilmiön ydin: julkisten tilojen ilmanpuhdistusta tehostetaan allergioiden ja hengitystiesairauksien vähentämiseksi.

HEPA-suodatus, ilmanvaihdon parantaminen ja hiukkasten jatkuva seuranta ovat nousseet tärkeiksi julkisissa rakennuksissa. Ionisaattoreiden terveyshyödyt ovat kiistanalaisia, eikä yhtä järjestelmää ole määrätty kaikkialle.

Johtopäätös: sisäilman puhdistamisen ydin toteutui osittain, mutta suositeltu tekniikka ja pakollisuus eivät.