Hi folks:
Sigh... I am gonna offer my take on this one (although I usually
prefer to avoid debunking every piece of mythology which comes
along), only because these claims have become very widespread in the
past 12 months and because I am asked this same question at least
once per week. Here goes:
Despite the claims made by some vendors (one of my consulting clients
-- who is also a friend -- recently started selling these things, and
I have heard similar vague claims from him...), I can see no possible
mechanism whereby the lamps could or would emit signifiant amounts of
negative ions into the air, and, if they did emit a few negative
ions, their count would be equally counterbalanced by the emission of
an equal quantity of positive ions as well. And, I have received
verbal reports from two people who (like Charles) have tried to
measure the so-called "negative-on emission" from these lamps with
equipment and found nothing. I believe that these vendors (the ones
making the claims) are likely seriously misled or deluded (not a hard
state in which to be if you are not a trained engineer or scientist)
on these matters, and thus my view is that their claims are lacking
accuracy and veracity as well as credibility, and I DO find it
interesting that NONE of these vendors offer any solid measurements
on the negative ion emissions (i.e., rate,volume, capacity, equipment
used, etc.) on their websites (thus the lack of credibility.)
By the way, it is entirely possible for certain materials, notably
some manmade "antioxidant" ceramics from Asia (I have over ten
kilograms of them in my laboratory, imported from China) to emit
negative ions into air or water, but any reputable
manufacturer/vendor (including the factory which produced the ceramic
materils which I have in my lab) will disclose full specs on the
material, including the amount of negative ions which the material
can be expected to release, often disclosed as the number of anions
(positive ions) per square cm of surface are (of the material) which
the material will attract and absorb (and, in effect, remove from the
air, thus increasing the proprotion of negative ions in the air.) Oh,
and these materials usually do not experience really long lifetimes
for their negative ion effects, but rather, much like zeolite, they
eventually get "used up" and the mechanism slows to a crawl and then
stops. I have never seen any evidence that rock salt will do this,
even for a short period.
Of course, it is possible that other claims made by the vendors of
salt lamps -- i.e., that the lamps emit a soothing energy or "feel"
or maybe even soothing subtle energies -- maybe true, at least for
some users! These things are more sujective and not so easily
measured with equipment! And, my personal opinion is that the glow of
the lamps looks great!
with care,
--Vinny
At 12:44 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote:
>I have measured some Himalayan Salt lamps, but could not measure any
>negative air ions.
>Greetings,
>Charles Claessens
>member Verband Baubiologie
>www.milieuziektes.nl
>www.milieuziektes.be
>www.hetbitje.nl
>checked by Norton Antivirus
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Marc Martin" <
[hidden email]>
>To: <
[hidden email]>
>Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 16:25
>Subject: Re: [eSens] salt lamps
>
>
> > taylorjm wrote:
> >> Have any of you tried Himalayan Salt lamps?
> >>
> >> I had two, with candles burning last night and this
> > > morning feel quite well, so was wondering if it is
> > > the lamps or - who knows what else.
> >
> > They are supposed to emit negative ions, which could
> > make you feel better. I tried one once, which had
> > a tiny light bulb in it (instead of candles), and
> > when I put it next to the computer, I found it
> > quite agitating...
> >
> > Marc
> >
>
Vinny Pinto
[hidden email]
phone 301-694-1249
To see my informational websites and e-mail list groups, please go to:
http://www.vinnypinto.us
Locked
Dec 06, 2006; 2:05pm
