Improving Indoor Air Quality

At the first hint of spring we naturally develop a yearning to reconnect with nature.  Bringing nature indoors is a good way to bring the spirit of spring indoors and bridge the gap between our internal and external worlds.  Bringing plants into our homes is like inviting a breathe of fresh air in.  Not only does it enliven our spirit with the beautiful scent and freshness of the greenery, it’s also been proven that common houseplants actually purify the air. Sick Building Syndrome is a term that has been developed to describe the affects that modern building materials have on indoor air quality.  It has been found that off- gassing from building materials begins to build up in the indoor environment causing indoor air pollution which has shown to have potentially dangerous effects on human health. 

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A two year study conducted by NASA and the Associated Landcape Contractors of America found that a number of houseplants have the ability to absorb potentially harmful toxins from the air and help improve the quality of indoor air.  This research has been carried out for many years by NASA scientist, Dr. Bill Wolverton.  The study demonstrated that a select variety of ornamental houseplants were effective in removing pollutants from the air.  The study consisted of plants placed in air tight chambers that were injected with common indoor air pollutants.  "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 vapor”.

The Study Involved the Following Chemicals and Plants

Formaldehyde    
Foam Insulation
Plywood or Particle Board
Carpeting
Furniture
Paper ProductsCleaners

Formaldehyde Abatement

Corn Plant-Dracenamassangeanna

Spider Plant-Chlorophytumcomosum

Bamboo Plant-Chameadora siefrizii

Golden Pathos-Scindapus aures

Potted Mum-Chrysantemum

Trichloroethylene
Dry Cleaning
Inks & Dyes
Adhesives
Varnishes
Lacquers & Paints

Trichloroethylene Abatement

Dragon Tree- Dracaena Marginata

Ribbon Plant- Dracaena Warnecki

Potted Mum- Chysanthemum

Peace Lily-Spathiphyllum

Gerbera Daisy

Benzene
Tobacco Smoke
Petroleum Products
Synthetic Fibers
Plastics
Inks & Dyes
Rubber Products
Detergents

Benzene Abatement

Dragon Tree-Dracaena Marginata

Dracena Janet Craig

Ribbon Plant-Dracena Warnecki

Potted Mum-Chrysanthemum

Gerbera Daisy

English Ivy- Hedera helix species

Peace Lily -Spathiphyllum

Other plants demonstrated to be effective air purifiers include the Bamboo palm, Peace lily, Ficus, Dracaena massangeana cane, Mother-in-Law's tongue (Sanseveria), English Ivy and Chinese evergreen species.

Sources:

 http://www.wolvertonenvironmental.com

 http://www.colormegreenco.com/NASA/nasa.htm

The Environmental Protection Agency’s website provides a great deal of information on the potentially harmful health effects from poor indoor air quality as well as providing resources for our understanding and protection:  http://www.epa.gov/iaq/index.html.

The World Health Organization has a free downloadable guide that reviews these harmful chemicals and helps us to better understand the health risks associated with these environmental exposures.  http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/128169/e94535.pdf.