What Are You Breathing? Getting Rid of Indoor Air Pollution

Hardly anyone thinks of their home as being a polluted environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that indoor air pollutant levels can be higher than what is outside. (See EPA article here.)

This reminded me of complaints I heard from employees at a new bank in our neighborhood. Everyone inside became ill and some developed allergy-like symptoms. I realized that the new paint and carpets were emitting vapors and these folks were breathing them in and having issues.

The air quality of your home can be improved very inexpensively and healthily by the use of plants.

The plants on the list below are not only known to be great for eliminating toxins in the air, but they will also bring a great deal of green into your personal environment.

1. Snake Plant. Is an ornamental plant that is very easy to grow even if you do not have a green thumb. According to NASA, this plant can absorb formaldehyde, nitrogen oxides and trichloroethylene from the air.
2. Peace Lily. Works like the snake plant with additional abilities to absorb xylene, toluene and ammonia.
3. Golden Pothos. Will filter out formaldehyde in the air.
4. Chinese Evergreen. Filters out toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde.
5. Bamboo Palm. This tropical plant can do well in the shady areas of your home and will filter out formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
6. Aloe Vera. Can filter various gas emissions and is best known for its healing abilities on burns and other skin problems.
7. Areca Palm. This palm helps remove formaldehyde and xylene.
8. Spider Plant. One of my favorites. It absorbs carbon monoxide and other impurities, including formaldehyde and xylene.
9. Boston Fern. This plant removes benzene, formaldehyde and xylene.
10. Philodendron. Efficient at removing formaldehyde.
11. Gerbera Daisy. This plant will remove benzene and trichloroethylene from the air.
12. English Ivy. It will filter formaldehyde

Remember to keep plants away from pets and children as ingestion could cause problems.

How green is your home?