Himalayan Salt Lamp?

[Almo]

http://www.amazon.com/Salt-Lamps-Fire-Himalayan-Crystal/dp/B000IZPT1W

Any truth this?

First, do negative ions really clean out stuff in the air?

Second, does lightly heating salt release negative ions?

If so, do you really want chlorine ions floating around your house?

My inclination is that it's BS, but my chemistry is weak from years of disuse.

[popscythe]

Seems like it will work.

If you use it to season and illuminate food.

[Towlie]

But it's not "ions", it's "Ions" with a capital "I". That makes all the difference.

[popscythe]

Yes, as in, "If you've purchased this Ions yo chin"

[madurobob]

I'm certainly no chemist, but these negative ion claims are getting more popular and I always wonder "negative ions of what?"

An ion is any atom or molecule where there are not the same number of protons and electrons. More electrons makes a negatively charged ion. So, just what molecule is being negatively charged and released by this lamp? When I asked my cousin this when she was touting her new sun lamp with negative ion generator (she lives in the PNW) she replied "vibes, man, its vibes!"

I think there are reasonable claims of negative ions making people feel better. But, I think its more that we associate the feel or taste or smell or whatever with peaceful places like beaches or waterfalls. I'm skeptical of all of the other health claims.

[Madalch]

I have a PhD in chemistry.

The claims about negative ions are garbage.

[rjh01]

Let me put it to this way. If you create -ve ions then you must generate an equal number of +ve ions. So where are the +ve ions?

[madurobob]

Let me put it to this way. If you create -ve ions then you must generate an equal number of +ve ions. So where are the +ve ions?

Sequestered safely within The Vibes.

[MRC_Hans]

http://www.amazon.com/Salt-Lamps-Fire-Himalayan-Crystal/dp/B000IZPT1W

Any truth this?

First, do negative ions really clean out stuff in the air?

Certain chemicals are neutralized with ions, however, excessive ions in the air are also harmful.

Ions do not neutralize any form of radiation, as they claim.

Second, does lightly heating salt release negative ions?

Heating anything creates ions. However, these lamps are usually powered by a candle, and all candles produce a lot of ions.

If so, do you really want chlorine ions floating around your house?

It is not likely to be chlorine ions. The sodium and chlorine in salt bond so tightly that you need quite high temperatures to split them. A candle flame won't do it.

My inclination is that it's BS, but my chemistry is weak from years of disuse.

BS it is. And they are also ugly.

Hans

[ponderingturtle]

Seems like it will work.

If you use it to season and illuminate food.

It looks like it might have too many impurities to be food grade. So melt ice or use it as a salt lick for livestock.

[Modified]

I have one of these and I didn't even know it was supposed to have healing abilities. It doesn't do well in a humid environment - you end up with a ring of salt on the nightstand.

[MRC_Hans]

It looks like it might have too many impurities to be food grade. So melt ice or use it as a salt lick for livestock.You can buy it for seasoning also, but yes, concerns have been raised over the amount of impurities.

I got some once, but I don't like the taste. I prefer sea salt (lots of probably nasty impurities there too, I assume).

Hans

[ponderingturtle]

I have one of these and I didn't even know it was supposed to have healing abilities. It doesn't do well in a humid environment - you end up with a ring of salt on the nightstand.

Where does the salt go?

[sg1985]

I knew this was bull. My mom got me one of these lamps to help with my sinus problems. I told her that it sounds like BS but she insisted that I use it.

Also, I found out that there's a salt cave spa thingy in town. Basically they moved several tons of "special" salt into a man-made cave and let people sit in it for a ridiculous fee. Insanity.

[ponderingturtle]

I knew this was bull. My mom got me one of these lamps to help with my sinus problems. I told her that it sounds like BS but she insisted that I use it.

Also, I found out that there's a salt cave spa thingy in town. Basically they moved several tons of "special" salt into a man-made cave and let people sit in it for a ridiculous fee. Insanity.

Not entirely sure about the salt cave thing, there are such things in salt mines in europe. Not sure how much is real vs BS though.

[kedo1981]

I’ve seen them with a basic light bulb/lamp in side and it does make a pretty mode light, but that’s it.
But it seems to me that we skeptics are missing out on some real paydays by not being lying scum.

[Madalch]

Heating anything creates ions. However, these lamps are usually powered by a candle, and all candles produce a lot of ions.

Cite?

[Almo]

Cite?

http://www.practicalphysics.org/go/Experiment_289.html

This would seem to indicate the candle flames at least contain ions. Not sure about how far away from the flame they get.

[Skeptic Ginger]

"No customer reviews yet. Be the first."

Wonder how many reviews they've chosen not to use?

[biomorph]

From the linky;

"Salt Lamp Fire Bowl Himalayan crystal Salt Lamp has healing ability."

Really?

[fuelair]

You can buy it for seasoning also, but yes, concerns have been raised over the amount of impurities.

I got some once, but I don't like the taste. I prefer sea salt (lots of probably nasty impurities there too, I assume).

Hans
No, sea salt or not, it has to be processed to remove the fish crap and dead crab parts and all that stuff-at least for sale in countries with some vague form of health laws.

[Captain.Sassy]

Basically they moved several tons of "special" salt into a man-made cave and let people sit in it for a ridiculous fee. Insanity.

Genius.

[sg1985]

Here we go: Williamsburg Salt Spa (http://www.williamsburgsaltspa.com/). Only $95 for 45 minutes!

And it helps treat "allergies, asthma and civilization diseases."

[Captain.Sassy]

civilization diseases

I wasted literally months of my life on those games.

If only I had known...

[Ziggurat]

civilization diseases

Is that a euphemism for STDs?

[Hooloovoo]

I have one of these and I didn't even know it was supposed to have healing abilities. It doesn't do well in a humid environment - you end up with a ring of salt on the nightstand.
My sister bought a bunch of these things really cheap on Ebay and gave me one for Christmas a few years ago(she knows the health claims are crap, but she likes the way they look). I keep it on a brass tray on an antique washstand, and one very humid spring it weeped all over the tray. I'm glad it was on the tray and not directly on the washstand.
I do like the way they look when lit up, but the same effect could be replicated with the right glass, and glass won't weep on the furniture.