15 Great Air Purifying Plants to Decorate Your Home

No man is an island, no man lives alone.”

John Donne

No Man Is An Island

For as much as humans have evolved, one thing we cannot escape is the fact that man’s existence heavily relies on being a part of Earth’s ecosystem. Human survival is dependent on ‘an intricate relationship with plants and their associated microorganisms.’ Consequentially, extricating man from his natural habitat will undoubtedly lead to untoward outcomes.

Quick Statistic

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors. As such, discussions regarding indoor air quality is paramount. Over the past decades, researchers have determined that indoor air quality can significantly impact health and wellness.

Background

In the late 1970s, increases in gas, cooling and heating cost fueled the charge for energy efficiency. In response, the interior construction of many buildings evolved. Builders created super-insulation (for an air-tight seal) and reduced fresh air exchange designs. Additionally, the installation of synthetic building materials, office equipment and furnishing tended to “off-gas” (emit) hazardous organic compounds. Many of those equipment and machinery off-gassed hundreds of ‘volatile organics” that could potential interact with each other. Furthermore, humans also contributed to indoor air pollution, especially in highly occupied areas. Unfortunately, the increase in closed system designs have resulted in increased morbidity (sickness) among workers. This observed phenomenon became known as the ‘sick building syndrome.’

NASA Plant Study

In 1989, a team at the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) hypothesized that plants played a vital role in man’s survival. In response, they developed a study to evaluate plants’ abilities to potentially reduce indoor air pollutants. It is important to note that while they theorized that plant could play a critical role in lessening the residual trace levels of air pollutants, they did acknowledge that the main intervention to decrease off-gassing is to reduce the levels before building materials and equipment are installed.

In the two-year NASA study, researchers investigated plants’ leaves, roots, soil, and related microbes as potential ways to lessen indoor air pollution. One solution was to use ‘higher plants and their associated soil microorganisms.’ As part of the study, they placed selected plants in an air-tight chamber and exposed them to high concentrations of the chemicals benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene (TCE).

Researchers conducted all tests during a 24-hour period. After they established the test controls, they documented the percentage of the chemical that each plant had removed.

Chemical Used in the NASA Study

Benzene

Occurs in nature (e.g. volcanoes and forest fires).
Common solvent used in items such as lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, pesticides, glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents, just to name a few.
Exposure can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, headaches, tremors, confusion and unconsciousness.
Chronic exposure can cause bone marrow damage with resulting anemia. It can also damage the immune system, causing leukemia.

Formaldehyde

Can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.
High levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers.

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

The Majority (over 90 percent) of TCE produced is used in the metal degreasing and dry-cleaning industries
Also used in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives.
Exposure may cause irritation to the eyes and skin.
Exposure to high concentrations can cause dizziness, headaches, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, unconsciousness, liver damage, and even death (CDC).

Air Purifying Plants

The top air-purifying plants that NASA found to be the most efficient at naturally removing indoor air pollutants are listed below. Before bringing one of these beauties home, make sure you consider the safety of pets and small children, as some of these plants could be toxic to them.