NASA conducted a study with the aim of reducing high concentrations of environmental pollutants, such as cigarette smoke or organic solvents, through the use of plants to purify the air. The various pollutants present in the air, the characteristics of the plants, and the ease of obtaining them on the market were taken into account.
We rarely breathe clean air, especially if we find ourselves living in the city. Buying an air purifier to clean our environment seems to be the only option, however it is a somewhat expensive option. That is why it is necessary to resort to the presence of plants in the house, not only because it gives them a visually more beautiful environment, but because they simultaneously clean toxins from the air.
What’s in our air?
A healthy home environment is vital to a person’s well-being, and houseplants contribute more to it than you might think. Its main benefit is to act as an air purifier, so it seems reasonable that NASA has done a clean air study.
The most common contaminants that plants are responsible for filtering are benzene, xylene, ammonia, trichlorethylene and formaldehyde, according to the study.
- Trichlorethylene: Cast in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.
- Formaldehyde: It is found in paper bags, waxed paper, paper towels, table napkins, plywood panels, and synthetic fabrics.
- Benzene: It is used to make plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, rubber lubricants, dyes, detergents, medicines, and pesticides. It can also be found in tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, glue, paint, and furniture polish.
- Xylene: It is found in the printing, rubber, leather and paint industries, tobacco smoke, and vehicle exhaust.
- Ammonia: It is found in glass cleaners, floor polishes, smelling salts, and fertilizers.
What effect does it cause in humans?
Like most chemicals, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including how much you are exposed to, how you are exposed, length of exposure, and the form of the chemical. . Below are common symptoms associated with each toxic agent.
- Trichlorethylene: Short-term exposure includes excitement, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting followed by drowsiness.
- Formaldehyde: Short-term exposure includes irritation of the nose, mouth, and throat and, in some cases, inflammation of the larynx and lungs. People who suffer from asthma are probably more susceptible to the effects of formaldehyde inhalation.
- Benzene: Short-term exposure includes eye irritation, drowsiness, dizziness, increased heart rate, headaches, confusion, and in some cases may cause unconsciousness.
- Xylene: Short-term exposure includes irritation of the mouth and throat, dizziness, headache, confusion, heart problems, liver and kidney damage, and coma.
- Ammonia: Short-term exposure includes eye irritation, coughing, and sore throat.
15 Air purification plants recommended by NASA
The study carried out by NASA results in 18 plants that provide us with this benefit, today we are going to talk about 15 of these plants.
1. Areca
The Areca Palm is designed to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. However, what sets the Areca Palm apart is its ability to also purify the environment in which it is placed by removing dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. It needs to be watered frequently. A good place to locate this plant is the living room.
2. Common fern
The most common fern of all is one of the best filtering plants. It needs to be in a space with a lot of light, but indirect. It will always proliferate better in humid environments. It requires a lot of water, so make sure that the soil in its pot is always moist. The best place to locate this plant is the bathroom.
3. Spider or Ribbon Plant
This plant will quietly combat toxins such as carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the printing and rubber industries. If you have pets, this is one of the few houseplants that are not toxic to animals. The best place to locate this plant is the living room.
4. Chinese Evergreens
It is one of the most common houseplants and for good reason. This plant emits a high oxygen content while purifying indoor spaces of harmful chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and other toxins. As the name suggests, it is very popular in China specifically for its high efficiency in removing harmful pollutants from the air.
This plant is perfect because it does not require much care. It is a shade plant, it tolerates low light, but not direct light. It doesn’t require a lot of water, so it can be watered occasionally with a focus on keeping the soil moist. To keep its leaves in better condition, you can use a spray to moisten them twice a week with warm water. The best place to locate this plant is the living room.
5. Palm bamboo
One of the plants with the greatest air purification power. It needs shade or partial shade to live in good conditions and its watering will be every three days in the warmer months and only twice a month in winter. This plant is useful for purifying formaldehyde and xylene.
6. Pothos
This is a very popular plant and easy to get. It is very resistant, thanks to its incredible ability to adapt to any environment, it does not require great care, it only requires weekly watering. It will be important that it is not exposed to direct light, as the sun will burn its leaves. It is effective in absorbing formaldehyde, xylene and benzene.
7. Anthurium
It is a decorative plant since it has red or pink flowers that lasts almost all year round. It is not an easy plant to care for, so you will have to pay close attention to its needs. It requires a bright environment, but without direct light, as well as a humid environment. It is recommended to have the earth and its leaves moist. It is effective in absorbing formaldehyde, ammonia and xylene.
8. Rapis or Lady Palm
This is one of the few plants that can help reduce ammonia levels that can be found in a range of cleaning products. It is also responsible for removing formaldehyde and xylene from the air. Moisture-loving, this plant will be quite happy with generous watering.
9. African Daisy
It is the prettiest plant of the group and is often used as a decorative element in landscaping. However, it is also distinct in its ability to produce high levels of oxygen at night while removing harmful chemicals such as benzene and trichlorethylene.
It prefers bright sunlight during the summer, spring, and fall, and indirect light during the winter. It needs to be water regularly. Beneficial for those who suffer from sleep apnea and respiratory disorders, keep this on the nightstand for better sleep.
10. Trunk of Brazil
It is a plant that will help you reduce anxiety and chronic fatigue. It needs indirect light or partial shade and its risks must be constant, but with little water. Trichlorethylene formaldehyde and benzene are among the pollutants that this plant fights.
11. common ivy
An ideal plant for those who suffer from asthma or allergies, it filters all allergy sufferers from the air. It adapts to any type of light and its watering must be constant, making sure that the earth is always humid. It can remove formaldehyde and benzene particles from the air, making it an essential houseplant if we want to breathe fresh air.
12. Mother-in-law’s tongue or tiger’s tongue
This plant produces oxygen at night, and has the ability to purify the air through the removal of benzene, formaldehyde, trichlorethylene, xylene, and toluene. It is ideal to keep it in rooms. It does well in window light and needs to be watered weekly. In an air-sealed room, these plants are capable of producing enough oxygen to breathe normally.
13. Dracaena fineleaf
It is a slow growing plant, it is recommended that it is not directly exposed to sunlight. It is recommended to water it in winter twice a month, while in summer it is possible to slightly increase the frequency. If combined with mother-in-law’s tongue, pure air can be guaranteed in a room. Trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene and xylene are among the pollutants that this plant fights.
14. Peace lily
This plant has beautiful white flowers. It can survive with little light and little water. It is recommended to keep it away from drafts. They are long-lived plants. It is capable of reducing the levels of trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene and xylene.
15. Chrysanthemum
These pretty flowers help filter out a number of toxins, including ammonia and benzene, often found in plastics, detergents, and glue. This plant loves sunlight, so place it in a spot near a sunbathing window.