• home
• about
• glossary
• resources and links
• press and media
• help
• Cheat Sheets
• contact
• subscribe via rss

NASA Study House Plants Clean Air

Common indoor plants may provide a valuable weapon in the fight against rising levels of indoor air pollution. Those plants in your office or home are not only decorative, but NASA scientists are finding them to be surprisingly useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings.

NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have announced the findings of a 2-year study that suggest a sophisticated pollution-absorbing device: the common indoor plant may provide a natural way of helping combat “SICK BUILDING SYNDROME”.

Research into the use of biological processes as a means of solving environmental problems, both on Earth and in space habitats, has been carried out for many years by Dr. Bill Wolverton, formerly a senior research scientist at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Based on preliminary evaluations of the use of common indoor plants for indoor air purification and revitalization, ALCA joined NASA to fund a study using about a dozen popular varieties of ornamental plants to determine their effectiveness in removing several key pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. NASA research on indoor plants has found that living plants are so efficient at absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.

While more research is needed, Wolverton says the study has shown that common indoor landscaping plants can remove certain pollutants from the indoor environment. “We feel that future results will provide an even stronger argument that common indoor landscaping plants can be a very effective part of a system used to provide pollution free homes and work places, ” he concludes.

Each plant type was placed in sealed, Plexiglas chambers in which chemicals were injected. Philodendron, spider plant and the golden pothos were labeled the most effective in removing formaldehyde molecules. Flowering plants such as gerbera daisy and chrysanthemums were rated superior in removing benzene from the chamber atmosphere. Other good performers are Dracaena Massangeana, Spathiphyllum, and Golden Pothos. “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 vapors”.

“Combining nature with technology can increase the effectiveness of plants in removing air pollutants,” he said. “A living air cleaner is created by combining activated carbon and a fan with a potted plant. The roots of the plant grow right in the carbon and slowly degrade the chemicals absorbed there,” Wolverton explains.

NASA Study shows common plants help reduce indoor air pollution….

NASA research has consistently shown that living, green and flowering plants can remove several toxic chemicals from the air in building interiors. You can use plants in your home or office to improve the quality of the air to make it a more pleasant place to live and work – where people feel better, perform better, any enjoy life more.

TOP 10 plants most effective in removing:
Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Carbon Monoxide from the air

• Bamboo Palm – Chamaedorea Seifritzii
• Chinese Evergreen - Aglaonema Modestum
• English Ivy Hedera Helix
• Gerbera Daisy Gerbera Jamesonii
• Janet Craig - Dracaena “Janet Craig”
• Marginata - Dracaena Marginata
• Mass cane/Corn Plant - Dracaena Massangeana
• Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Sansevieria Laurentii
• Pot Mum – Chrysantheium morifolium
• Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum
• Warneckii - Dracaena “Warneckii”

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Latest CPSC Childrens Products and Toy Recalls

• Aqua-Leisure Recalls Children's Trampolines Due to Fall Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Toys "R" Us Stores
• Safety 1st Toilet and Cabinet Locks Recalled Due to Lock Failure; Children Can Gain Unintended Access to Water and Dangerous Items
• Five Retailers Agree to Stop Sale and Recall Tots in Mind Crib Tents Due to Strangulation and Entrapment Hazard
• Boys' Hooded Jackets Recalled by Bonded Apparel; Neck Drawstrings Pose Strangulation Hazard; Sold Exclusively at dd's Discounts
• Supreme Trading Recalls Children's Letterman Jackets Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Dillard's

Car Seat Recalls

• DJG ( 12C002000 )
• BRITAX ( 12C001000 )
• DJG ( 11C001000 )

Latest FDA Recalls

• Pacific Coast Fruit Company Recalls Single Side Serving Processed Salads for Potential Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
• UPDATED: CORRECTED BEST BEFORE DATE Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food Production Code DSL 0801 Due to Small Potential for Salmonella Contamination
• River Ranch Expands Salad Recall Because Of Possible Health Risk

Latest Recalls in Canada

• Seymour Custom Solvent recalled over labelling
• Kids eyeglass cases recalled because of lead levels
• GUND board books pose choking hazard

Safer States Action Alerts

• Toxic chemicals in the workplace: Putting millions of workers at risk
• Lessons from New Jersey: Mary Brune's mom
• Lessons from Montana: Alexandra Scranton's mom.

Follow this blog