Which type of contaminant is most effectively removed by a charged-media air cleaner?

Charged-media air cleaners operate on principles that focus on the attraction and collection of particles that possess an electric charge. The most effective contaminants these systems remove are polarized particles, which can include dust, pollen, smoke, and other similar debris that carry a charge. When air passes through the charged media, the charged particles are drawn to the oppositely charged surfaces of the cleaner, ensuring an efficient removal process.

Polarized particles have a tendency to interact strongly with the charged elements in the air cleaner, allowing for effective capture and minimizing the contaminants that can pass through. This type of air cleaner is particularly useful in environments where fine particles are a concern since these charged particles can be challenging for traditional filtration methods to capture effectively.

Conversely, while dust and other particulates can also be effectively captured, the specificity of the charge makes polarized particles the optimal choice for this type of air cleaner. Gases and smells, which are typically not charged particles, are not effectively removed by charged-media air cleaners, as their mechanisms are better suited for particulate matter rather than molecular non-particulate contaminants.