People living or working in newer, well insulated buildings, have experienced a significant rise in these illnesses: allergies, asthma, eye, nose or throat irritations, fatigue, headaches, nervous-symptom disorders, respiratory problems, sinus congestion (Dr. B.C. Wolverton. How to Grow Fresh Air. Penguin Books, 1996.) In addition to the airtightness of the buildings, synthetic furnishings, human breathing, and poor ventilation systems contribute to the poor air quality.
Typical air pollutants in a "sick" building include formaldehyde gas, xylene/toulene gas, benzene, trichloroethylene, chloroform, ammonia, alcohols, and acetone. These are emitted into the air by products ranging from facial tissues to gas stoves. With our limited ventilation systems, is it any wonder that our eyes may burn in some buildings even if we can't specifically identify a cause?
Through studies by NASA, scientists have identified 50 houseplants that remove various gases/pollutants mentioned above. Wolverton rated these plants for removing chemical vapors, ease of growth, resistance to insect problems, and transpiration (the amount of water they expire into the air). Plants are necessary for helping to ad moisture to our too fdry buildings. These plants in order of effectiveness:
Areca Palm Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Lady Palm Rhapis excelsa
Bamboo Palm Chamaedorea seifrizii
Rubber Plant Ficus robusta
Dracaena 'Janet Craig' Dracaena deremensis "Janet Craig"
English ivy Hedera helix
Dwarf Date Palm Phoenix roebelenii
Ficus Alii Ficus macleilandii "Alii"
Boston fern Nephrolepsis exatata "Bostoniensis"
Peace Lily Spathiphyllum sp.
Corn Plant Dracaena fragrans "Massangeana"
Golden pothos Epipremnum aureum
Kimberley Queen Nephrolepis obliterata
Florist's Mum Chrysanthemum morifolium
Gerbera Daisy Gerbera jamesonii
Dracaena "Warneckei" Dracaena deremensis "Warnecki";
Dragon Tree Dracaena marginata
Red Emerald philodendron Philodendron erubescens
Arrowhead vine or goosefoot plant Syngonium podophyllum
Dumb cane Dieffenbachia "Exotica Compacta"
Parlor Palm Chamaedorea elegans
Weeping Fig Ficus benjamina
Schefflera Brassaia actinophylla
Wax begonia Begonia semperflorens
Lacy Tree Philodendron Philodendron selloum
Heart-leaf philodendron Philodendron oxycardium
Snake Plant Sansevieria trifasciata
Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia camilla
Elephant Ear Philodendron Philodendron domesticum or Philodendron tuxla
Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla
King of Hearts Homalomena wallissii
Prayer Plant Maranta leuconerua "Kerchoveana"
Dwarf Banana Musa cavendishii
Christmas and Easter Cactus Schlumbergera bridgesii, Schlumbergera rhipsalidopsis
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