Hello, today I would like to share a study conducted by NASA , that lists toxins and pollutants present in the air we breathe and how to remove them for good. We are accustomed to thinking that harmful, polluted air is present only outdoors, but you’ll be shocked at just how many toxic chemicals are present in our everyday household items. Because we spend so much time indoors as urban dwellers, it is essential we find ways to keep the air we breathe clean. NASA proved 18 common household plants that are the most efficient in filtering these toxins. Source

There are generally five toxins present in the air of a average home or office that effects our daily lives

In this article I have listed various facts and findings from my own personal research on this subject. The below list according to my research covers the most common household products that can pollute indoor air.

• Ammonia – Found in fertilizers, scented bath salts, floor wax and window cleaners. Common symptoms include eye and throat irritation.
• Benzene – Found in lost plastic, synthetic fibers, detergents, dyes, furniture wax, pesticides, rubber lubricants, tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust fumes, adhesives, and most paints. Symptoms include eye irritation, headaches and dizziness, drowsiness, increase in heart rate, and can lead to unconsciousness.
• Formaldehyde – Found in synthetic fibers, waxed papers, paper bags, tissues, napkins, paper towels, and plywood paneling. Symptoms include nose, mouth, and throat irritation, can also lead to lung and larynx swelling in some extreme cases.
• Trichloroethylene – Present ink, lacquer thinners, varnishes, paints, paint removers and adhesives. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and can lead to coma in serious cases.
• Xylene – Found in printed materials, leather, paint, tobacco smoke and vehicle exhaust. causes mouth and throat irritation, dizziness, headache, heart complications, and in extreme cases will cause kidney and liver damage or coma. Source

Now for the good news! According to NASA scientistsresearching ways to create suitable space station habitats ,there are a few common household plant's that we can use to purify the air in our homes. Listed below are 18 air-purifying plants you should keep in your home and the pollutants they clean out of the air. some indoor plants have been found to be more beneficial than others in removing harmful household toxins, some plants are even capable of removing up to 90% of toxic chemicals in only twenty-four hours! Source

• Bamboo palm – formaldehyde and xylene
• Barberton daisy – formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene
• Boston fern – formaldehyde and xylene
• Broadleaf lady palm – ammonia, formaldehyde, and xylene
• Chinese evergreen – benzene and formaldehyde
• Cornstalk dracanea – benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene
• Devil’s ivy – benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene
• Dwarf date palm – formaldehyde and xylene
• English ivy – benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene
• Flamingo lily – ammonia, formaldehyde, and xylene
• Florist’s chrysanthemum – filters all five pollutants.
• Kimberly queen fern – formaldehyde and xylene
• Lilyturf – ammonia, trichloroethylene, and xylene
• Peace lily – filters all five pollutants
• Red-edged dracanea – benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene
• Spider plant – formaldehyde and xylene
• Varigated snake plant – benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene
• Weeping fig – formaldehyde and xylene

I have also found published information in the Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science, further proving the science.

Image source: http://www.ccmoss.com

Thes plants listed above will also help remove ozone, the main component of air pollution, also known as smog is normally associated with outdoor air. However these harmful chemicals also infiltrate indoor environments like homes and offices, with people in industrialized countries spending as much of 80 percent to 90 percent of their time indoors.

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