Thanks in large part to modern home decor magazines showcasing their aesthetic qualities, salt lamps have become much more prevalent and are often available in mainstream retail shops. With that prevalence has come a renewed interest in their purported air purification qualities.
What Are Himalayan Salt Lamps?
Faught Service Company has more than four decades of experience serving Austin, Georgetown, and the surrounding areas with indoor air quality services. We firmly believe that great indoor air quality in the home starts with optimized mechanical and natural ventilation, but you can certainly use houseplants and the like to augment it. Salt lamps are generally made from rock salt retrieved from mines in the Himalayan Mountains in Pakistan. A bulb is inserted into the rock salt to create a subtle light, but the heat also activates the salt and ostensibly causes negative ions to be released into the air.
Negative Ions
While some studies have demonstrated health benefits associated with negative ions in our air, it remains questionable whether salt lamps actually produce them. While scientists have yet to disprove that these lamps give off negative ions, they haven’t been able to prove it either.
Dust and Dust Mites
Negative ions definitely kill dust mites, and they bind to dust particles, making them easier to collect. However, this effect requires an abundance of ions, which salt lamps likely don’t provide. If you opt to have one or more Himalayan salt lamps in your home, they look great and may provide some health benefits, but you shouldn’t depend solely on them for any air purification benefit.
Better Quality for Your Indoor Air
Faught Service Company in Austin would love to help you assess your indoor air quality and optimize it. We also provide a full range of heating and cooling services, offer service agreements, perform home energy audits, and participate in the Austin energy program. Call us today to discover more about how we can serve you and your home.
