Do Himalayan Salt Lamps Purify the Air?

It’s easy to see why Himalayan salt lamps are growing trend in home décor. After a long, stressful day nothing sounds better than basking in the warm, orange glow of these pink hued salt lamps. With their surge in popularity, there are some interesting claims coming out of the woodwork. While we can genuinely appreciate the spa-like atmosphere they provide, today we’re going to examine if Himalayan salt lamps purify the air.

The Claim: Himalayan Salt Lamps Purify the Air

From treating asthma to detoxing the air in a room, many people claim Himalayan salt lamps can purify the air in your home. According to believers, salt lamps purify the air for two reasons: 1. They pull allergens and air pollutants out of the surrounding atmosphere, and 2. They create negative ions. The makers of these lamps claim that, “The heat from a small light bulb keeps these beautiful crystals dry and in turn releases  negative ions (the healthy ones found in abundance in places like oceans, waterfalls, even your shower) into the air”. The belief is that negative ions will combat any indoor air pollution to “purify” a room or enclosed space. Though this is a nice idea in theory, let’s see how it works in practice.

The Truth: Let’s Check the Facts

There is some proof that Himalayan salt lamps release a very small number of negative ions, but the light bulbs in the lamps do emit enough heat to release said ions. According to Science Journalist Signe Dean in a study from the Salt Therapy Association, “The usual narrative about these lamps seems to be that heating up a chunk of salt releases ions. However, that simply isn’t possible. To break apart the ionic bond between the two chemicals comprising salt, you’d need a far greater energy input than a tiny light bulb can provide.” There is no documented evidence that Himalayan salt lamps purify the air.

How to Purify the Air in Your Home

When it comes to actual air purification, it’s best to leave the salt on the table and turn to some HVAC solutions. At Bell Brothers, we offer a number of indoor air quality solutions for every home. Some ways to purify the air in your home are:

• Invest in a MERV Filter – MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Essentially meaning the higher the value, the better the filter is at catching small particles. A MERV filter with a high rating will catch more indoor air pollution than a standard filter.
• Think About an iWave – If you really want to learn how ions work, consider an iWave add on to you existing HVAC system. The iWave distributes negative ions into the air, those negative ions in turn run into contaminate particles and give them a charge. This charge forces the contaminated particles to clump together and fall out of the air. Click here to learn more about the iWave.
• Or an Air Scrubber – The Air Scrubber is another great option for purifying your indoor air. Like the iWave, it’s an add-on to your existing HVAC system, but the Air Scrubber uses UV technology. When air passes through the air filter, it is then “cleaned” by the UV lights in the Air Scrubber. To learn more about the Air Scrubber and UV lights for HVAC, click here.
• Conduct Regular Tune-Ups – At Bell Brothers, we take your health, and indoor air quality, very seriously. That’s why we conduct 18-point furnace inspections. Our technicians make sure to check every part of your furnace, ensuring nothing is out of order. They’ll also conduct a professional cleaning and advise you of any extra steps you should take.

Want to See a Difference in Indoor Air Quality? Call the Experts at Bell Brothers

Want to purify the air in your home? Put down the pink salt and schedule an appointment with Bell Brothers. Our expertly trained technicians proudly serve homes in Sacramento, Stockton, Vacaville, and surrounding communities. To meet your indoor air quality expert, call the number at the top of the screen, or click here to request an appointment online.