We breathe 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day. With this much air going in and out of our lungs every second, it is vital to make sure we are breathing in good air all day. We are so used to hearing the expression go out and get some fresh air,” but why not bring some of that fresh air inside? Or better yet,createit inside! And not just any air. But air that can actually remove toxic gases and chemicals from your home environment! Thats correct air that can actually remove VOCs including formaldehyde and benzene.

Listen to my Green Divas @ Homesegment about creating a better indoor environment for your healthy home . . . then read on for more!

NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) released the findings of a 2-year study suggesting, in addition to what some plant physiologists already knew: plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as part of the photosynthetic process (hence, the fresh air image on the can). Get your beakers ready for a brief lesson in biology. As you may know, plants directly absorb carbon in their life-dependent process, photosynthesis. By taking in carbon dioxide and converting it to oxygen during photosynthesis, plants and trees naturally remove excess carbon from the air. During photosynthesis, foliage also removes from the atmosphere other chemicals, such as nitrogen oxides, airborne ammonia, some sulfur dioxide, and ozone that are part of the smog and greenhouse effect problems. Plants also affect air quality by acting as collection sites for dust and other air particles. So, by adding plant to your environment, you are cleaning up your indoor air and helping the planet.

Heres where it gets exciting! In addition, these researchers (including Dr. Bill Wolverton, formerly a senior research scientist at NASA) have found many common houseplants absorb benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, as well. In the NASA study, each plant type was placed in sealed, Plexiglas chambers in which chemicals were injected. The results surprised everyone.

Plants take substances out of the air through the tiny openings in their leaves, according to Wolverton. But research in their labs has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria areallimportant in removing trace levels of toxic vapors. Did you know that one potted plant per 100 square feet will clean the air in an average office? Although not a replacement for anair purifier, the NASA studies generated the recommendation that you use 15 to 18 good-sized plants in 6 to 8-inch diameter containers to improve air quality in an average 1,800 space. But, not justanyplant of course a certain 50 plants in particular! And, the more vigorously they grow, the better job theyll do for you, so keep em watered!

You may be staring at the little wilted plant on your windowsill or desk wondering if it made the list or not. If youd like the entire Top 10 list, you can find it in our book,Just GREEN It!But for now, I want to share the Top 5 plants according to the study that are most effective in removing: formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air. These include:

Areca Palm
Lady Palm
Bamboo Palm
Rubber Plant
Dracaena Janet Craig

Bonus:

Listen to the latest full episode of theGreen Divas Radio Show…

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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Growing Good Air: Houseplants for a Healthier Home