The Westinghouse Company now have several experimental models of electrical units installed in Pittsburgh homes for the removal of dust, soot, pollen or other solid and liquid particles from the air. The unit is so arranged that it draws particle-filled air past two small wires suspended horizontally.
Connected to a power pack, which raises their voltage, these wires "charge" all air particles in their vicinity. This act is termed ionizing the air. Next the ionized particles are drawn through a series of plates which are charged in opposite polarity with the result that the air particles cling to the plate.
In addition, a film of oil covers each plate to make certain that the particles will stick after being attracted.
After the aluminum plates fill up, they may be cleaned by simply running water over them. The air, freed of particles, is then sent on into the room by means of a fan. The unit only requires about fifty watts to operate.
In certain sections of Pittsburgh, 97 per cent. of the impurities collected was in the form of soot.
In outlying sections, the larger percentage of particles consisted of various irritating pollens.
Data are being gathered by physicians in treating patients afflicted with asthma or the pollen fevers.
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