Three common indoor plants can clean the air and boost the oxygen, says Indian environmentalist Kamal Meattle.
In his presentation this month at TED, the annual Technology, Entertainment and Design conference, he identified the Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens), Mother-in'law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata) and the Money plant (Epipremnum aureum) as being able to make indoor air healthier.
Meattle says the areca palm is great for living areas but needs to be put outdoors once every 3-4 months.
The mother-in-law's tongue converts carbon dioxide to oxygen at night, which makes it good for the bedroom.
The money plant, or what we more often call golden pothos, is good at removing formaldehyde from the air, he said.
EARLIER NASA STUDY
The report is reminiscent of an earlier study conducted by NASA scientists on which plants can clean up indoor air.
In the 1989 study, "Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement," scientists studied a handful of plants for their abilities to to clean benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene (TCE) from the air.
They were looking for ways to alleviate "sick-building syndrome."
In addition to identifying plants, they found that the soil alone with roots was the most effective in removing volatile organic chemicals.
To read the study for yourself, go to this PDF file.
Here are 10 plants that performed well in the study:
Gerbera daisy Gerbera Jamesonii
Janet Craig Dracaena "Janet Craig"
Marginata Dracaena marginata
Peace lily Spathiphyllum "Mauna Loa"
Warneckei Dracaena "Warneckii"
Golden pothos/money plant Epipremnum aureum
Bamboo palm Chamaedorea seifrizii
English ivy Hedera helix
Mother-in-law's tongue Sansevieria launtii
Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum morifolium
CHEMICALS USED IN THE NASA TESTS
Benzene
Benzene, linked to cancers including leukemia, is a very commonly used solvent and is also present in many basic items including gasoline, inks, oils, paints plastics, and rubber.
Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a commercial product with a wide variety of industrial uses.
More than 90 percent of the TCE produced is used in the metal degreasing and dry-cleaning industries, but it is also used in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.
The National Cancer Institute considers this chemical a potent liver carcinogen.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a ubiquitous chemical found in virtually all indoor environments. The major sources include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation and particle board or pressed-wood products.
Consumer paper products, including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels, are treated with ureaformaldehyde resins.
Formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat and is linked to allergic contact dermatitis, irritation of the upper respiratory tract and headaches.
The Environmental Protection Agency has recently suspects formaldehyde causes a rare type of throat cancer.
-- Compiled by Laura Weisman
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