American’s spend 90% of their time indoors according to the EnvironmentalProtection Agency. And while there are manyways to improve your indoor air quality, one of the most aestheticallypleasing options is to add plants to your home.
First, let’s meet the chemicals in your air so you knowwhich plants you want to use to remove them.
The Chemicals
1. Trichloroethylene
Also found in: printing inks,varnishes, lacquers, paints, certain adhesives, paint removers, and paintstrippers.
Symptoms: dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness.
2. Formaldehyde
Also found in: paper bags, facial tissues, paper towels, particle board, plywood, and most synthetic fabrics.
Symptoms: nasal irritation, throat irritation, and swelling of the lungs.
3. Benzene
Also found in: plastic, resin,synthetic material, rubber, dyes, laundry detergent, pesticides, tobacco smoke,car exhaust, glue, and paint.
Symptoms: eye irritation,drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, increased heart rate, and confusion.
4. Xylene
Also found in: rubber, leather, paint, tobacco smoke, and car exhaust.
Symptoms: throat irritation,dizziness, headache, confusion, and liver and kidney damage.
5. Ammonia
Also found in: glass cleaners, smelling salts, and fertilizers.
Symptoms: eye irritation, coughing, and sore throat.
If you want to removetrichloroethylene, try…
1. Lilyturf(liriope spicata)
Alsoremoves: xylene and ammonia
2. Barberton Daisy(gerbera jamesonii)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde and xylene
3. Cornstalk Dracaena(draceaena fragrans)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde and benzene
4. EnglishIvy (hedera helix)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene
5. Variegated SnakePlant (sansevieria trifasciata)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene
If you want to removeformaldehyde, try…
1. Dwarf Date Palm(phoenix robelenii)
Alsoremoves: xylene
2. BostonFern (nephrolepis exaltata)
Alsoremoves: xylene
3. Kimberly Queen Fern(nephrolepis obliterata)
Alsoremoves: xylene
4. Spider Plant(chlorophytum comosum)
Alsoremoves: xylene
5. Chinese Evergreen(aglaonema modestum)
Alsoremoves: benzene
If you want to removebenzene, try…
- Devil’sIvy (epipremnum aureum)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde and xylene
2. Red-EdgedDracaena (dracaena marginata)
Alsoremoves: trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and xylene
3. Peace Lily(spathiphyllum)
Alsoremoves: trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia.
4. Florist’sChrysanthemum (chrysanthemum morifolium)
Also removes: trichloroethylene,formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia.
If you want to removexylene, try…
1. BambooPalm (chamaedorea seifrizii)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde
2. Weeping Fig(ficus benjamina)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde
If you want to removeammonia, try…
1. FlamingoLily (anthurium andraeanum)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde and xylene
3. Broadleaf LadyPalm (rhapis excelsa)
Alsoremoves: formaldehyde and xylene
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