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All
plants have air cleaning capablities. The list below shows the most effective
plants tested for eliminating formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide
from the indoor air that we breathe.
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| NASA
Study Shows Common Plants Reduce Indoor Polution |
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Common indoor plants may provide a valuable
weapon in the fight against rising levelsof indoor air pollution.
Those plants in your office or home are not only decorative, but NASA
scientists are finding them to be surprisingly useful in absorbing
potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings.
NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have
announced the findings of a 2-year study that suggest a sophisticated
pollution absorbing device: the common indoor plant may provide a
natural way of helping combat "SICK
BUILDING SYNDROME". Research into the use of biological
processes as a means of solving environmental problems, both on Earth
and in space habitats, has been carried out for many years by Dr.
Bill Wolverton, formerly a senior research scientist at NASA's John
C. Stennis Space Center St. Louis, Miss.
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Top
10 Plantss
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| What
Information was Gained? |
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Based on preliminary evaluations of the use of common indoor plants
for indoor air purification and revitalization, ALCA joined NASA
to fund a study using about a dozen popular varieties of ornamental
plants to determine their effectiveness in removing several key
pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. NASA research on
indoor plants has found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing
contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as
part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting
space stations. While more research is needed, Wolverton says the
study has shown that common indoor landscaping plants can remove
certain pollutants from the indoor environment. "We feel that
future results will provide an even stronger argument that common
indoor landscaping plants can be a very effective part of a system
used to provide pollution free homes and work places, he concludes.
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| How
Were the Tests Performed? |
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Each plant type was placed
in sealed, Plexiglas chambers in which chemicals were injected. Philodendron,
spider plant and the golden pothos were labeled the most effective
in removing formaldehyde molecules. Flowering plants such as gerbera
daisy and chrysanthemums were rated superior in removing benzene from
the chamber atmosphere. Other good performers are Dracaena Massangeana,
Spathiphyllum, and Golden Pothos. "Plants take substances out
of the air through the tiny openings in their leaves," Wolverton
said. "But research in our laboratories has determined that plant
leaves, roots and soil bacteria are all important in removing trace
levels of toxic vapors". "Combining nature with technology
can increase the effectiveness of plants in removing air pollutants,"
he said. "A living air cleaner is created by combining activated
carbon and a fan with a potted plant. The roots of the plant grow
right in the carbon and slowly degrade the chemicals absorbed there,"
Wolverton explains. NASA research has consistently shown that living,
green and flowering plants can remove several toxic chemicals from
the air in building interiors. You can use plants in your home or
office to improve the quality of the air to make it a more pleasant
place to live and work - where people feel better, perform better,
any enjoy life more.
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Clean
your office air quickly and inexpensively
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TRICHLOROETHYLENE
(TCE) used in printing inks, paints,
lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives. A potent liver carcinogen
BENZENE
is a very commonly used solvent and is
also present in many common items including gasoline, inks, oils,
paints, plastics, and rubber. .Low levels cause headaches, loss
of appetite, drowsiness, nervousness, psychological disturbances
and diseases of the blood system.
FORMALDEHYDE
found in virtually all indoor environments. In particle board
or pressed wood products used in manufacturing of office furniture.
Also in grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues paper towels,
cleaning agents and carpet backings. Causes irritation of the
eyes, headaches, allergic contact dermatitis and asthma.
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