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204 points XzetaU8 | 4 comments | | HN request time: 1.025s | source
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peanut_merchant ◴[] No.44414951[source]
Not well versed in the field, what are the basic implications of this for health?
replies(3): >>44414976 #>>44415003 #>>44415304 #
PaulHoule ◴[] No.44415003[source]
In the 1970s there was a lot of talk about ‘healthful negative ions’ and a fad for negative ion generators even though many of those also generated hazardous ozone.

Hydroxyl ions are a significant kind of negative ion in the atmosphere and they’re known to be good because they react with and clean out pollutants like methane

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroxyl_radical

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/144358/detergent-li...

replies(3): >>44415174 #>>44415293 #>>44415452 #
thaumasiotes ◴[] No.44415174[source]
How can something be a negative ion generator without simultaneously being a positive ion generator?
replies(2): >>44415219 #>>44417733 #
1. gsf_emergency_2 ◴[] No.44417733[source]
You're right but a lot of times the positive ion is far less reactive and/or more massive than the negative ion. Not so much for OH-. Charge is not the only thing that matters.
replies(1): >>44418738 #
2. thaumasiotes ◴[] No.44418738[source]
Well, in a similar way to how you can't generate a negative ion without simultaneously generating a positive ion... how do you use the negative ion in a reaction without simultaneously using the associated positive ion in the same reaction?
replies(1): >>44421398 #
3. gsf_emergency_2 ◴[] No.44421398[source]
Here's one way

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion-exchange_membrane

Another, that you might be interested in, but it's more confusing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton-exchange_membrane

replies(1): >>44422258 #
4. gsf_emergency_2 ◴[] No.44422258{3}[source]
See the figure

https://www.fuelcellstore.com/introduction-ion-exchange-memb...

Each ion of salt participates in a different reaction