Noticing the leaves, the color and the built of an indoor plant can really add some warmth to your heart. They can make you feel closer to the nature while still enjoying the "known" corners of your house! Decorating your home with indoor plants will not only remind you about the presence of other living members of your family, but will also allow you and your loved ones to breathe in fresh air! Common indoor houseplants may provide a valuable weapon in the fight against the rising levels of indoor air pollution. The plants in your office or home are not only decorative, but NASA scientists are finding them surprisingly useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings.
A sophisticated pollution-absorbing device, the common indoor plant, may provide a natural way of helping combat "Sick Building Syndrome". In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air pollution - which originates from many conventional building materials and cleaning solvents - as one of the top five threats to public health.
Toxins in the Air
Most of the chemicals in our homes are the emissions from modern building materials and also the materials that are used to make most of the furnishings and appliances that we use. These materials are no longer natural and organic, but are almost entirely synthetic, held together with various glues and resins, then sprayed, painted or coated with further chemicals. Once in your home, these items "off-gas", meaning that they release chemical fumes from the manufacturing process straight into the air. Here are a few of the most common chemical emissions and their most common sources:
- Formaldehyde: Carpets, caulking, ceiling tiles, draperies, fabrics, facial tissues, grocery bags, floor coverings, gas stoves, grocery bags, paints, paper cups and plates, paper towels, permanent press clothing, upholstery contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat, and is one of the leading causes for the development of asthma. Exposure to high levels of this chemical can also lead to irritation of the eyes and headaches.
- Trichloroethylene (TCE): Trichloroethylene is used in adhesives, printing inks, paints, varnishes, and metal degreasing and dry cleaning industries. It is considered as a potent liver carcinogen.
- Xylene/Toluene: These are present in adhesives, computer VDU screens, printers, photocopies, floor coverings, particleboard, stains and varnishes and wall coverings. Exposure to high levels of xylene for acute or chronic periods can cause dizziness, confusion, headaches and lack of muscle coordination. High level exposure for short periods can also cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, difficulty in breathing and other problems with the lungs.
- Benzene: Plastics, rubber, dyes, inks, gasoline, paints, detergents, tobacco smoke and wall coverings contain benzene. Benzene is known to cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Acute inhalation of high levels of benzene has been reported to cause weakness, blurred vision, headache, kidney and liver damage, and unconsciousness. Chronic exposure to even relatively low levels can cause headache, drowsiness, psychological disturbances, and diseases of the blood and lymphatic system.
- Chloroform: Chlorinated tap water is high in chloroform content. Chronic inhalation or exposure to chloroform can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and heart.
- Ammonia: Cleaning products, printers and photocopiers contain ammonia. Excessive ammonia inhalation can lead to burning of the eyes, nose and throat, and coughing. Chronic exposure to ammonia may cause serious upper respiratory problems.
- Acetone: Cosmetics, nail polish remover, office correction fluid, pre-printed paper forms contain acetone. Inhaling moderate- to-high levels of acetone can cause headaches, nausea, light-headedness, and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
Best Indoor Plants That You Should Consider Bringing Home
A two year study conducted by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) in the late 1980s suggest that certain houseplants can remove as much as 87 percent of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours. The study recommends that for an average home of under 2,000 square feet, at least 15 samples of a good variety of common houseplants (grown in six inch containers or larger) should be used to help improve the air quality. Some of the best houseplants include:
- Areca Palm: Areca Palm has been consistently rated among the best houseplants for removing all indoor air toxins. It is also an excellent air humidifier. Its high marks in all the rated categories make it one of the top 'eco-friendly' houseplants. A recent study done by NASA gives this indoor plant an air purifying score of 8.5.
- Lady Palm: It is one of the easiest houseplants to care for and is highly resistant to attack by most plant insects. It is also one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality.
- Bamboo Palm: It has secured extremely high ratings for removal of chemicals and transpiration rates. Its beautiful and tropical looking appearance will also beautify your home.
- Dwarf Date Palm: It is a unique looking palm, particularly effective in removing xylene among other pollutants.
- Boston Fern: It is the best for removing air pollutants, especially formaldehyde and for adding humidity to the indoor environment.
- Snake plant: Snake plant differs from most houseplants in that it produces oxygen and removes carbon dioxide at night. This means you can place it in your bedroom and it will help maintain a healthy amount of oxygen in the air while you sleep.
- Rubber Plant: It is easy to maintain and very effective at removing all chemicals, especially formaldehyde.
- Money Plant: Money plant (Epipremnum aureum) not only releases oxygen in the air, but it can also filter formaldehyde from the air that is commonly released by adhesives (used with wood furnishings) and cigarette smoke.
- English Ivy: This plant is known to filter indoor pollutants like fecal particles and formaldehyde aerosols. It is known to keep your house toxin free.
- Devil's Ivy: This plant acts as an excellent natural anti-pollutant against common pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
- Parlor Ivy: Also known as the heartleaf Philodendron, the parlor ivy proves to be a beautiful house plant that is equally useful in cleaning up the air in your house.
- Ficus Alii: There are 3 types of ficus alii - standard tree, bush and braids (entwined trunks). All are easy to grow and all are resistant to insects.
- Peace Lily: It is one of the few that will reliably bloom indoors, with tall white flowers.
- Chinese Evergreen:This is an excellent plant which is not used very frequently.
- Dracaena "Janet Craig": Known as the female dragon, it is a leader at removing formaldehyde.
House Plant Care
- Dust Your Plants: Don't forget to dust your house plants during the summer months. In the winter, dust from the heating system can coat the leaves, clogging the pores (stomata) through which the leaves breathe. In the summer, when windows are open, there is even more dust in the air to collect on plant leaves.
- Do Timely Pruning: Pruning is also a good idea. It keeps the plant at the size desired and improves its shape. Remove the browned tips of leaves or leaves that are yellowing. These can occur even on healthy plants, primarily in the winter.
- Let Some Air Pass Through the Soil: House plants also respond to soil aeration. Loosen the soil with a kitchen fork to help the roots get air. This also helps to get rid of the mold that sometimes collects on the surface of the soil when the plants are kept too moist or in poor light.
- Use an Insecticide: Occasionally, house plants may suffer insect problems. Use of a systemic insecticide containing Di-Syston granules as a preventative measure will help. Follow the product label directions and cautions.
- Look for Details: Always treat plants outdoors and then bring them in after the chemical has dried. Treat all the plants including the soil before they are brought in for the winter and check the undersides of pots and trays for centipedes, millipedes, snails, slugs, sowbugs, and pillbugs that may be harboring underneath.
Some people have been found to be extremely passionate about their plants. They seem to treat them as their children, who need the maximum care and support. You may consider bringing some of them to your home not only as an "eye candy" but also to allow them to stay as silent witness to your original self!
