Salt Crystal Lamps – Do They Work?
According to many health experts, Himalayan salt crystal lamps offer a myriad of health benefits, but do they really work?
THE SCIENCE
From a scientific perspective, this is how salt crystal lamps work.
The atomic structure of crystal salt is bound electrically, not molecularly, and this enables the salt crystal to change back and forth from a crystalline to a liquid state.
The heat of the bulb in the salt crystal lamp creates a higher surface temperature than the surrounding air in the room. This attracts water molecules in the cooler surrounding air, resulting in condensation on the surface of the rock crystal. This process enables the electrically bound sodium chloride mineral to split into independent (positive) sodium and (negative) chloride ions.
Once the water molecules evaporate, the sodium and chloride ions revert to their crystalline mineral form. This natural ionization process takes place over and over again, invisible to the eye, and does not affect the quality of the salt crystal.
When lit by a small light bulb of 15 watt or less, a rock crystal salt lamp emits an electrical charge that releases healthy negative ions into the air. These negative ions kill bacteria, molds, mildews and spores, odors, cigarette smoke, chemical gases, pet odors, pollens, dust and dust mites, animal dander, viruses, static electricity, carbon monoxide, and much more.
NEGATIVE IONS
In nature, negative ions are created through forces of rain storms, waterfalls, lightening, sunlight, ocean waves and winds. In fresh country air, we find up to 4,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter (the size of a sugar cube).Up to 10,000 negative ions are found near heavy surf, or close to a waterfall. That is why we feel so refreshed and energized when we are near these environments.
By contrast, the number of negative ions in metropolitan areas often does not even reach 100!
Quite often, our homes are the source of many health risks. For example, many pollutants found in the air reside attach themselves to floating dust particles. In a test conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they found 53% less dust, and 95% less bacteria, in the air by ionizing the room.
Good Housekeeping Magazine, in March 1999, had its engineers test an ionizer by using a smoke test, and found that it cleared out the smoke in a tank.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS
Health practitioners in Europe, North America, Australia and Japan have been using salt crystal lamps extensively in their treatments for ailments such as snoring, allergies, sinus problems, to reduce asthma attacks, respiratory problems and to enhance the immune system.
Our homes are full of volatile organic compounds that can seriously affect our health. For example, a 15-year study concluded that women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work away from home. This was a direct result of the increased exposure to toxic chemicals, many of which are found in common household products. Negative ions can help mitigate these volatile organic compounds.
The Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. maintains that indoor air pollution is one of the top five threats to public health. It should come as no surprise then that many hospitals in Europe make ionization mandatory.
Without doubt, Himalayan salt crystal lamps do work. They are a very attractive feature in any house, very safe, and can be used in every room in your home. For optimal results, your salt crystal lamp should be left on as much as possible.
Salt Crystal Lamps – Do They Work? by Bernard Brown
