Fight Toxins: Breath Clean Air With Plants
In 1989, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) conducted a study that resulted in a list of indoor house plants that could help purify the air. For years, we have also heard of the dangers of indoor VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are off-gassed from building materials, fabrics and household cleaners. While the building industry is trying to eradicate VOCs from materials there is a simple and natural way for us to combat this problem - live with plants.
Good Magazine has just made this easy for us with a user friendly system of identifying certain plants for specific air quality situations.
The “Plants for Your Health” chart pairs specific air pollutants with the plants that will fight off their negative health effects. The chart lists commonly found toxins such as gas heaters, smoke, pressed wood, insulation, paint, pets, human, air fresheners and others- all of which can have detrimental effects to your health including headaches, bronchitis, asthma, and skin irritations.
Good Magazine’s chart will help you identify the plants you need in your home to make your life better and healthier.
Source: Plants for Your Health @ Good Magazine Via: Inhabitat
More research needs to be done in this area, such as the research being done through the University of Guelph. The university with Naturaire Systems installed a four story biofiltration wall inside one of the new campus buildings. The research behind this system, which is pending publication, points to symbiotic bacteria residing on the the root systems as the work horse in reducing the levels of VOC’s by significant amounts.
The system works by running either a stand alone or integrated HVAC system across a hydroponic plant filtration system. Not as easy to install as your typical potted plant. But incredibly effective.