INDOOR PLANTS FOR CLEANER AIR

The office buildings, condominiums and homes of today are all
very energy efficient, tightly sealed pollution traps.  Scientists are now
calling this 'Sick Building Syndrome'.  Many dangerous vapours
occupy these places, emitted by building materials, cleaning solvents,
furniture, carpeting, copying machines, second hand smoke, etc.
     Studies done by NASA and the Foliage for Clean Air Council are
finding that plants have incredible air cleansing abilities in the home
or office.  Dr. Bill Wolverton, a NASA research scientist, believes that
eight to 15 plants in an average size home will significantly improve air
quality.  The plants take in the harmful molecules, process them, and
release fresh air.
     By improving the quality of air in the office, employees will feel and
perform better.  Most symptoms of sick building syndrome (indoor air
pollution) are similar to allergy symptoms at first, but can lead to much
severe problems.  With the installation of plants, these symptoms will
subside.  Buildings that have natural ventilation and high numbers of
microorganisms (associated with sickness) have less employee health
problems than buildings with mechanical ventilation and low
microorganisms.  Therefore, it's not microorganisms in the majority of
cases, which cause employee absenteeism.
     Some of the vapours are very dangerous and toxic.  The NASA
research team has found at any one time, up to 107 different toxins or
gases in the air we breathe indoors.  Following is a description of three
of the most common chemicals found.  These chemicals are greatly
reduced by plant introduction.

Trichlorethylene (TCE)
     Trichlorethylene is a potent liver carcinogen.  It is found in the metal
degreasing and dry cleaning industries, in printing inks, paints,
lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.

Benzene
     This chemical has long since been known to cause skin and eye
irritation.  It can also cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and loss of
appetite, blurred vision, respiratory diseases, irregular heart beat,
tremors, liver and kidney damage, paralysis and unconsciousness.
Benzene is found in gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, rubber,
detergents, explosives and pharmaceuticals.

Formaldehyde
     This chemical will cause irritation to the upper respiratory tract
(nose and throat) and eyes.  It irritates mucous membranes and can
cause dermatitis.  Formaldehyde is used in foam insulation, particleboard
and pressed wood, grocery bags, paper towels, facial tissues and waxed
paper.  Most products which require a resin to produce it will probably
have formaldehyde.

Dealing with indoor pollution
     With each plant, we are providing you its light requirements and a list
of the pollutants in the order they cleanse the air.

Trichlorethylene
Low light: Dracaena marginata , Peace lily, Mother-in-laws tongue, and
Bamboo palm.
Bright indirect light: English ivy and all of the low light plants listed above.
Full sun: Gerbera Daisy

Benzene
Low light: Mother-in-laws tongue, Dracaena warneckei, Peace lily, Chinese
evergreen, Dracaena marginata, Bamboo palm.
Bright indirect light: Pot mums, English ivy, and all of the low light plants
listed above.
Full sun: Gerbera Daisy

Formaldehyde
Low light: Mother-in-laws tongue, Bamboo palm, Heartleaf philodendron,
Spider plant and Golden pothos.
Bright indirect light: English ivy, and all of the low light plants listed above.
Full sun: Banana tree (use a dwarf variety).

     It should be noted that the plants are listed by their efficiency per square
centimetre, so a larger plant of a lower efficiency may do a better job than
a smaller plant of high efficiency. 

To find these plants check Holland Park Garden Gallery

This information is provided by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association.