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Time to clean the airIndoor plants are effective natural air fresheners
The US Environmental Pollution Agency says that indoor pollution is one of the top five public health threats. Today's sealed buildings, energy efficient but poorly ventilated and stuffed with synthetic furnishings, contribute to allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities. You and I are not helping this situation as the Human body emits bioeffluents such as ethyl and methyl alcohol and acetone.These toxins can be counteracted by growing your own oxygen in the form of the humble houseplant. Ordinary indoor plants are prolific processors of everyday toxin . See 'our plants' and click on each plant for their toxin removal rating. This rating assesses from 0 to 10, the efficiency of the plant in removing toxins from the indoor environment. When the stomata open to absorb and release air and water, the air moves.This allows the plants to capture toxins, which go into the root systems, where microbes break them down. Saturation and re release of toxins is not a problem as the removal rate actually improves with exposure. Plants also emit phytochemicals that suppress mold spores and bacteria. Following NASA's lead a decade ago, researchers have determined which plants excel at which clean up activities.The Boston fern followed closely by the Chrysanthemum and Gerbera daisy, score highly at removing the most common toxin, formaldehyde which is found in everything from facial tissue and carpets to gas stoves and plywood. The Lady Palm is the ammonia removal star while the Peace Lily best digests human bioeffluents. The Orchid and Date Palm remove xylene and toluene emitted by ceiling tiles, paint, floor coverings and computer screens. Bamboo Palms, Rubber Plants, English Ivy, Dwarf Date Palm, Ficus, Boston Fern and Peace Lilies are all top scorers in removing chemical vapors, resisting pests and disease in addition to being easy to look after. Plants can be grouped together to maximise their rubbish disposal and humidity supplementing activities. Most plants release oxygen by day however there are some plants that do their best work at night, notably Succulents and Orchids, which come highly recommended for bedroom and sickroom cultivation. Back to Articles . . . . Plants in the 'home or office' result in improved health |