| Common Harmful Airborne Chemicals |
Many chemicals
(such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene) are present in today's
tightly insulated homes and offices and can cause a variety of health
problems. Consult the chart below for sources and common health problems
caused by these chemicals.
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Chemical
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Sources
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Effects
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Formaldehyde
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Particleboard
or pressed wood products, carpet, water repellent, fire retardant,
natural gas, kerosene, cigarette smoke
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Irritates
the eyes, nose, and throat. Can cause headaches and allergic dermatitis.
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Benzene
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Inks,
oils, paints, plastics, rubber
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Irritates
eyes and skin. Prolonged exposure can cause headaches, loss of appetite,
drowsiness.
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Trichloroethylene
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Dry-cleaning
fluid, printing inks, paints, varnishes, adhesives
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Considered
a carcinogen.
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| Houseplants That Work |
All plants
remove chemicals from the air to some degree. The following list highlights
the most effective pollutant-fighting plants.
|
Plant Name
|
Primarily Effective Against
|
|
Bromeliad,
Aloe,Spider
Plant,Poinsettia,
Weeping
Fig,Philodendron
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Formaldehyde
|
|
Chinese
Evergreen
|
Benzene
|
|
Bamboo
Palm, Chrysanthemum,
Miniature Umbrella Plant
|
Benzene,
Formaldehyde
|
|
Orchid
|
Ammonia,
Acetone, Formaldehyde
|
|
Janet
Craig
|
Benzene,
Trichloroethylene
|
|
Warneckii,
Madagascar Dragon Tree,Golden
Pothos,
Gerbera
Daisy, English
Ivy, Mother-in-law's Tongue, Peace
Lily
|
Benzene,
Trichloroethylene, Formaldehyde
|
Other varieties
that are especially effective are the snake
plant
and several types of dracaena.
Exotic houseplants (like bird
of paradise,
elephant-ear
philodendrons
and flowering banana
plants)
are also good bets.
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| How Many Plants Do I Need? |
It takes
one or two good-sized plants to purify the air in a 10' x 10' room, depending
on the level of impurities present. That equates to one large plant per
100 square feet of space.
In general,
the more plants you have in the room, the better. Keep in mind that a
more heavily polluted environment requires more plants. Getting good results
in an entire house requires many plants.
Because each
plant has an affinity for different toxins, use a mixture of plants. Most
of the houseplants mentioned are relatively easy to grow in moderate to
bright indirect sunlight or under fluorescent lighting. Consult our How
to Care for Houseplants
article for more information.
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