Living plants add natural beauty to our homes and workplaces, but they are also a valuable weapon against indoor air pollution, absorbing harmful chemicals and improving air quality.
The most common harmful airborne chemicals found in the home or office are formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon monoxide. Even in low concentrations, these chemicals can cause a variety of health problems.
Formaldehyde is used in particle board or pressed wood products to make office or household furniture, in many consumer paper products, in carpets, permanent-pressed clothes, water repellents, fire retardants, natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette smoke. Formaldehyde irritates the membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat and can cause headaches and allergic dermatitis.
Benzene is present in inks, oils, paints, plastics, and rubber, in the manufacturing of detergents, dyes, and some pharmaceuticals. In addition to irritation of the eyes and skin, chronic exposure to even low levels of benzene causes headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, psychological disturbances, and disease of the blood system, including anemia.
Trichloroethylene is used by the dry cleaning industry and in printing inks, paints, varnishes, and adhesives, and is considered to be a potent liver carcinogen.
Carbon monoxide is found in cigarette smoke and is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel. Exposure to low levels can cause drowsiness and headaches.
Several varieties of houseplants excel in removing these chemical pollutants from the air. The most effective are Spider Plant, and Golden Pothosin. The Gerbera daisy, Peace Lily and Chrysanthemum are the most efficient at removing benzene and the highest percentage of trichloroethylene. Then there’s English ivy, Chinese Evergreen, Bamboo, Palm, Snake Plant (mother-in-law’s tongue), and several types of Dracaena, including Marginata, Corn Plant for removing carbon monoxide.
One large plant per 100 square feet of space is sufficient to clean the air in an average home or office.
Most of these houseplants are relatively easy to grow in moderate to bright indirect sunlight or under florescent lighting. Ivy, palm, philodendron, spider plant, and dracaena are all susceptible to spider mites.
Mist often and avoid hot, dry air. Pots may be set in trays of pebbles in water to provide moisture around the plants (keep the bottoms of the pots above the level of the water). Beware of overwatering any plant, the most common cause of houseplant deaths. Golden pothos, Chinese evergreen, and snake plant should not be misted and should be allowed to dry out between watering to keep the roots healthy.
How often you feed your plants depends on the type of food you use. Always water your plants with tepid water. If you use chlorinated water, allow it to sit for at least 24 hours so the chlorine can evaporate. If possible use rainwater or bottled (not dematerialized) water.
Add several of these living air cleaners to your home and work spaces. You will feel better and make your indoor environments more pleasant for living and working.
Living plants add natural beauty to our homes and workplaces, but they are also a valuable weapon against indoor air pollution, absorbing harmful chemicals and improving air quality.
Several varieties of houseplants excel in removing these chemical pollutants from the air. The most effective are Spider Plant, and Golden Pothosin. The Gerbera daisy, Peace Lily and Chrysanthemum are the most efficient at removing benzene and the highest percentage of trichloroethylene. Then there’s English ivy, Chinese Evergreen, Bamboo, Palm, Snake Plant (mother-in-law’s tongue), and several types of Dracaena, including Marginata, Corn Plant for removing carbon monoxide. 
Most of these houseplants are relatively easy to grow in moderate to bright indirect sunlight or under florescent lighting. Ivy, palm, philodendron, spider plant, and dracaena are all susceptible to spider mites. 
