Many pollutants can compromise your indoor air quality. Most people know about dust mites and mold spores, but these are only some of the more noticeable problems. Other pollutants include toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, acetone and chloroform, to name just a few. Most of these come from building materials, carpets and furnishings. To clean up your indoor air, you can turn to your HVAC system, and also add air purifiers and plants to the home. Many air purifiers can eliminate large amounts of dust and other organic pollutants. Few can do much about the toxic chemical gases – that is where plants come in.
Air-cleaning plants
Plants absorb gases and poisons from the air and release oxygen. Some houseplants are better at this than others are, however. Here are some air-purification stars of the plant world.
- Spider plant: Removes formaldehyde and xylene, among others.
- English ivy: Removes benzene, formaldehyde and others.
- Golden pothos: Filters out formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and others.
- Chinese evergreen: Removes benzene, formaldehyde and others.
- Aloe vera: Removes a variety of gaseous toxins. Aloe also can be used to treat minor cuts and burns.
- Marginata: Filters many toxins, including formaldehyde.
- Peace lily: The toxins it filters include benzene and formaldehyde
- Snake plant: Removes nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde and other toxins.
- Areca palm: Removes xylene and formaldehyde, as well as other toxins.
- Boston fern: Filters xylene, formaldehyde and benzene.
Please note that households with children or pets should avoid some plants that are known to be toxic if ingested. These plants include golden pothos, English ivy and Marginata.
For more advice about air purifiers and plants or other issues related to home health and comfort, please contact us at James Lane Heating and A/C Repair. We serve Wichita Falls, Vernon, Burkburnett, Graham, Iowa Park, and Olney.
