Plants Improve Indoor Air Quality
Project Earth
By Erin Jordan
Now that winter is upon the Northland, we are bracing against the cold by sealing up our homes, but air quality is reduced without fresh air coming in. We found one way to solve the problem.
Air pollution is most often a topic associated with the out of doors. But the air inside our homes and workplace often pose a greater threat to our health. However, there is a simple, inexpensive, and natural way to improve what we’re breathing in, house plants.
“They’re taking in a lot of waste gases we give off, and they’re giving off oxygen which we use,” said Larry Stute of Engwall Florist and Greenhouse in Duluth.
Plants not only remove carbon dioxide but other harmful chemicals from the environment.
“New homes are really high on formaldehyde. Most of them even contain warnings now with a lot of glue in the plywood, in the carpets, in the fabrics of the drapes, in the upholstery of the furniture, in the foam. All of those things are sources of formaldehyde,” said Stute.
He also points out that some plants are more efficient at removing pollutants than others:
- Golden Pothos
- Philodendron
- Spider Plant
- Areca Palm
- Bamboo Palm
- Lady Palm
- English Ivy
- Peace Lily
- Chrysanthemums
Good Indoor Plants
Indoor plants help clean the air in a building, but they provide a touch of greenery that can enhance often-sterile working conditions. These plants need to tolerate low light and cooler conditions, such as the case with air conditioning. Many plants cannot stand air conditioning, so you may need to replace them at regular intervals.
Spathiphyllum and Dracaena are two plants that can absorb noxious gas from the atmosphere and give out oxygen in its place. Another name for Spathiphyllum is the peace lily, and we often see it in indoor situations. It can survive totally on light from artificial sources. Sansevieria trifasciata or mother-in-law’s tongue is also a good one for low light conditions. It doesn’t need much water, either.
Aglaonema is another popular and hard-working plant. There are different versions like Silver Queen and Silver King , so-called due to the leaves’ pretty silver mottling. It is up there in the top ten plants that take toxins out of the air.
Popular for boardrooms and reception these days are Yucca plants with their interesting angles. Try three of different sizes grouped. The spider plant with its striped leaves provides texture and color variations that will brighten any room and take out pollutants.
Indoor Air Quality Testing
IAQ Environmental recommends relative humidity and temperature testing. Indoor plant-soil poses an indoor environmental threat for mold growth.
Mold is a known allergen, and some people have bad reactions to exposure.
IAQE offers Indoor air quality testing relative humidity, temperature, and mold testing if necessary.
