Air, air – We need Fresh Air to Survive
The stagnant air became a breeding ground for toxic chemicals that are found in everyday objects. Polluted air contains particulate matter, lead, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.
Indoor Chemicals
Benzene, is used as a solvent and can be found in plastics, dyes, rubbers, detergents, and gasoline, among the other numerous items. Irritable to the skin and eyes, Benzene can cause respiratory and psychological disturbances, liver and kidney damage, as well as diseases to the blood and lymphatic systems.
Trichloroethylene is used in varnishes, adhesives, and metal degreasing. Known as a liver carcinogen it also damages the respiratory and central nervous systems by acting as an anesthetic. Numbing the functions of cells, Trichloroethylene can have a lethal effect.
Formaldehyde is used as a preserving agent. Practically found in every environment, from insulation, particleboard, and carpet backing, to grocery bags and paper towels. This chemical is one of the leading causes for the development of asthma.
Bad air day
The first step toward protecting your lungs is to know your city or town. More than 115 million people nationwide still live in counties with pollution levels considered potentially harmful to their health.
People with asthma often need to use an everyday controller medication, which is a drug that eases underlying lung inflammation. Bronchodilators are another type of asthma drug that can be used to expand airways and relieve symptoms, such as shortness of breath or coughing. However, if you are using a bronchodilator inhaler all the time to treat symptoms, it’s a sign that your asthma isn’t under control and that you should be taking controller medication daily.
House Plants Natural Air Cleaners
Indoor plants can remove a variety of toxic air emissions including ammonia, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene, xylene and trichloroethytene.
Of course some house plants work better at being Natural Air Cleaners than others.
The following are some of the top performers for removing pollutants and toxins from the air.
Peace Lily
Small enough for a tabletop, needs watering once weekly and thrives in a low light environment, even fluorescent lighting. Has glossy dark green foliage with regular flowering of a small white flower.
Philodendron
A large plant that should be placed in a shaded area with indirect sunshine. Water sparingly and only when the soil feels dry.
Weeping Fig
The fig likes some bright light but not full sunshine. Do not place next to heaters, vents or large windows. Keep soil moist but not wet. Mist daily.
Janet Craig
Low to Medium Light. Keep the soil slightly dry. Do not overwater.
Chinese Evergreen
This busy plant likes to be in medium to full sunlight and prefers a high humidity environment. Keep soil slightly dry.
Syngonium
This pretty plant grows best in bright filtered light with no direct sunshine. Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering
Aglaonema crispum
‘Silver Queen’ Also known as Chinese evergreen, this attractive small to medium plant is tolerant of low light, a dry atmosphere and mild to warm temperatures.
Rhapis excelsa
The lady palm is an extremely slow-growing (and often expensive), multi-stemmed, compact palm tree. It enjoys low light and needs to be kept out of draughts.
Stromanthe
The leaves of stromanthe have deep-green upper surfaces that contrast with their brilliant purple undersides. Position this plant in bright light and mist the leaves periodically. Let the soil dry slightly between watering.
Ficus elastica
The rubber plant is a medium-to-large specimen, bred for toughness. It has glossy, green or burgundy leaves, and survives in low light and a dry atmosphere. Water when the soil is dry.
How many indoor plants do you need? The general rule of thumb is to use 15 to 18 good-sized house plants in 6- to 8-inch diameter containers for a 1,800 square-foot house. This is based on 8 or 9 foot ceilings, so if you have if yours are higher, you may want to increase the number of plants.
Thanks for Reading.