If you've been doing your part for the environment by transitioning from regular light bulbs to energy-saving fluorescent lght bulbs, you might be interested to know that you can get energy-saving light bulbs that do more than just provide light. Kitchen Contraptions spotted this 15 watt ionic bulb, which produces 60 watts of ight and contains an ionizer that cleans the air around the bulb. The claim is that the ionic technology picks up airborne particles that contaminate your room and cause odors. The bulb provides 10,000 hours of lighting, 10 times longer than standard light bulbs.

There's been controversy over the last few years about whether ionic air purifiers are effective. You might recall the lawsuit filed by Sharper Image against the publisher of Consumer Reports, claiming product disparagement relating to negative reviews of Sharper Image's Ionic Breeze Quadra air purifiers (the suit was dismissed), and the class action suit against Sharper Image by consumers (which was settled in 2007).

Putting aside the debate over how effect ionic air purifiers are, it's an interesting idea to make air purification a secondary function of a light bulb, since you have at least one bulb in every room of a house.

Sold for $14.99 each at Amazon..