As part of BenQ’s continued commitment to develop technologies designed for healthy and active learning, the new BenQ Board Pro RP03 is now the first and only smart board for classrooms with a built-in air ionizer. But what exactly is an air ionizer and how can it be used to protect student health? Below, we answer common questions and clear any confusion surrounding this new ClassroomCare^® feature.

This is a very common misconception. Although both technologies help in purifying indoor air, they do so in very different ways.

Air purifiers are designed to capture air in enclosed spaces and use a series of filters to remove contaminants before releasing clean air back into the room. Depending on the manufacturer, these filters may include special layers such as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) layer that removes fine dust and pollen, an ultraviolet (UV) layer that neutralizes airborne microbes, and an activated carbon layer designed to get rid of odors.

Air ionizers, on the other hand, do not require filters, but instead use ionization to get rid of airborne pollutants.

The BenQ Board’s built-in ionizer releases negatively charged ions into the air. These ions latch onto floating particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), weighing them down until they’re too heavy to stay suspended in the air. This ionization process helps decrease the amount of inhalable particulate matter in the immediate area.

Related: Find out why PM_2.5 is a risk to student health.

Although effective, the air ionizer is not designed to be a standalone air filtration system, but rather a complement to your school’s existing HVAC system.

This is another popular misconception. Although a few manufacturers may claim that this is possible, there are no conclusive studies that prove their efficacy against airborne viruses. Air ionizers are designed to decrease the amount of suspended air particles. They are not meant to sanitize the air and kill airborne viruses or bacteria.

The BenQ Board’s air ionizer releases 300 ppm of negative ions per hour and, as per SGS testing, has been proven to reduce the amount of PM_2.5 suspended in air.

Yes. Although there have been concerns about air ionizers indirectly producing ozone, which, at very high levels, can be considered a lung irritant, the BenQ Board’s air ionizer produces a negligible amount, which is safe for both teachers and students.

You can activate the ionizer through the display settings menu on your BenQ Board or remotely via the BenQ Device Management Solution (DMS). You can select among three different air ionizer modes:

Related: Learn more about BenQ DMS.

If you want to learn more about the air ionizer or other BenQ Board Pro features, contact your local BenQ sales representative for a product demo.