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Salt Lamps
A salt lamp is simply a
chunk of mined salt that has been hollowed out to allow room for a
lightbulb or tiny candle. The light glows through the medium of the
salt crystal, which can range in color from a dark salmon pink to a
pale orange. Salt crystals for salt lamps are mined in Russia and
central Europe as well as in the Himalayas. Salt lamps make attractive
accent lights. Their main attraction, however, is that the heating of
the salt causes the crystal to release negative ions (often called
simply 'ions').Negative ions have long been considered healthy; the sea
air, mountain air and the air around swiftly running water is high in
negative ions. Indoor air, recirculated air, and air around electronic
equipment is very low in negative ions. Many office workers who suffer
health complaints around fluorescent lighting and computer monitors
report considerably less fatigue and headaches if the concentration of
negative ions in the air is increased. Why negative ions may be
beneficial is only partially understood.
It has been shown that negative ions in the air bind with airborne
pollutants, making them heavier so that they fall to the ground, and
therefore are unavailable to be inhaled. Many modern air purifiers -
the so-called 'ionic air cleaners' - use this technique to provide
cleaner indoor air for allergy sufferers. Some studies seem to indicate
that an increase in negative ions in the air increases bloodflow to the
brain, which would have the effect of improved concentration. The salt
lamp is an attractive alternative to the utilitarian look of an air
purifier.
The amount of negative ions a salt lamp can release depends on its size
and how warm the candle or lightbulb can make it. The larger the
crystal, obviously, the more expensive the lamp, but the larger area it
can provide with negative ions. Salt lamps that produce 'night-light'
amounts of light can provide ions to an area equal to the average
office cubicle. |
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