Tuesday, April 25, 2023

NASA's 18 Recommended Plants for Naturally Clean Air at Home

In the late 1980s, NASA conducted research with the aim of finding which plants were most effective at removing toxic substances and converting carbon dioxide into oxygen on the space station. This study was born out of the need to detoxify the air in closed environments, places where astronauts spend long periods of time. In 1989, the research results were finally published in a report entitled "Clean Air Studies".

According to the report, these 18 plants can help purify the air in your home. The list of the best plants for filtering the air in your home or office includes:


  • Dwarf Date Palm (phoenix roebelenii) 
  • Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) 
  • Kimberly Queen Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)
  • Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
  • Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
  • Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
  • Weeping Figs (Ficus benjamina)
  • Devil's Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
  • Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)
  • Lilyturf (Liriope Spicata)
  • Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
  • Barberton Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
  • Cornstalk Dracena (Dracaena fragrans)
  • English Ivy (Edera helix)
  • Varigated Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
  • Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
  • Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum), and
  • Florist's Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
The study recommends having at least one plant for every hundred square feet of space in your home or office. These herbs can help remove toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which are commonly found in indoor environments. In addition to filtering the air, these plants can also increase indoor humidity levels, reduce noise levels, and even improve our mood and productivity.

Whether you're looking to improve the air quality in your home or office or just want to add some greenery to your space, incorporating these plants into your décor can be a great way to achieve both goals.

The following is a list of dangerous indoor air pollutants along with short-term symptoms when exposed to them for a long time:

  • trichloroethylene is found in printing inks, paints, varnishes, varnishes, adhesives, and paint removers. Short-term exposure can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and coma.
  • Formaldehyde is found in paper bags, wax paper, facial tissue, paper towels, plywood panels and synthetic fabrics. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the nose, mouth and throat and, in severe cases, swelling of the larynx and lungs.
  • Benzene is used to make plastics, resins, lubricants, detergents and pharmaceuticals. It's also found in tobacco smoke, glue, and furniture wax. Short-term exposure can cause symptoms such as eye irritation, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, increased heart rate, confusion, and in some cases, unconsciousness.
  •  Xylene is found in rubber, leather, tobacco smoke and vehicle exhaust. Short-term exposure can cause symptoms such as irritation of the mouth and throat, dizziness, headaches, confusion, heart problems, liver and kidney damage, and coma.
  • Ammonia is found in window cleaners, floor wax, smelling salts, and fertilizers. Short-term exposure can cause symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing and sore throat.

However, please note that some of the plants recommended by NASA for air purification may be toxic to pets. Therefore, if you have furry friends at home, it's important to do some research and make sure the plants you choose are safe for your pet.

Source:
https://www.good.is/Science/nasa-gets-terrestrial-rp