What happens to particulate matter after collection via electrostatic precipitator?

What I understand about electrostatic precipitators is that the particles become ionized due to corona discharge and thus are attracted to the oppositely charge plate. This would work as long as the precipitator is turned on and plates maintain a charge.


However afterwards, when the precipitator is turned off, wouldn't the collected particulate matter tend to regain their charge neutrality? What if it goes back to its original state? Wouldn't the whole action of the precipitator then become moot?


How is the precipitated pollutant stored and prevented from escaping in an electrostatic precipitator?


