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It's well-known that
the trees outside our homes are like the lungs of
the earth, cleaning up the carbon dioxide that we create and producing
oxygen, but NASA research has now also highlighted the crucial
role
of indoor
plants in cleaning the air of our homes. While it is
realised that the pollution of
our flats, apartments and houses is more serious for our health than
the poloution from our cities,
the solution comes once again from plants.
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Contrary to generally accepted ideas,
air
pollution is more important indoors than outdoors. In the bedroom, the
bathroom or the kitchen the air which one breathes is more
dangerous for our health than in an enclosed street. Many invisible
substances are responsible for this little-known pollution:
detergents, adhesives, perfumes, home maintenance products, waxes
and
cigarette smoke to which are added the volatile components
issued by the materials in compresed wooden furniture, and office
accessories like ink and plastics.
In order to purify the air that we
breathe and to
take action to preserve our health, it is essential to begin changing
our habits from today. The daily ventilation of every room and the use
of natural maintainance products are essential steps for the cleanup of
our ambient air. But in this quest for clean air, indoor plants prove
indispensable allies, which
absorb chemical components and improve
the humidity levels. Many scientific studies,based on the NASA
research, prove that many plants have cleansing and depollution powers.
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How
can indoor plants clean the air?
By
the mechanism of photosynthesis, a plant
absorbs
carbon dioxide and expels oxygen. This first stage plays a
large role in the beneficial presence of plants, even in rooms indoors.
Leaves,
roots and microorganisms present in the earth absorb solvents and
polluting substances. In return, the plant emits water
vapour
and improves the air quality.
If the thought
of the state of air which we breathe is worrying, as well as that of
the state of our food, nature
offers simple solutions to help us to limit our interior
pollution. Decorative and comforting, indoor plants are also
beneficial to our health. A good reason to bring their nature into the
office as well as in the home.
Paricularly
favoured varieties are:
- Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginita)
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
- Weeping Fig Tree (Ficus benjamina)
- Silver
Vine (Pothos)
- Flamingo
Flower
(Anthurium)
- Sword
Fern or Boston
Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Chinese
evergreen
(Aglaonema)
- Palm
Trees
(Arecales)
Based on a report by Deyrolle
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