Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Detoxify your air with houseplants

houseplants

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The amount of pollutants found indoors may be as much as 100 times greater than the amount found outdoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Residential indoor air quality can be affected by chemicals that have become commonplace in homes, including household cleaners, air fresheners, paints, pesticides and personal care products, as well as building materials and furniture. The products release gases and particles, which people breathe.

Heavy concentrations can irritate the eyes, nose and throat; cause headaches, nausea and fatigue; damage the liver, kidneys and central nervous system; and increase a person’s risk for heart disease and cancer. Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable.

Inadequate ventilation, high temperatures and high humidity levels can increase the concentration of such pollutants.

Opening windows to air out a home can help, but it’s not the best solution when it is 100 degrees outside.

Instead, invest in houseplants. Many inexpensive, commonly found plants act as natural air purifiers, detoxifying indoor air and enabling you to breathe easier.

How plants purify their environment

Plants are able to clean indoor air because of photosynthesis, the method by which they produce food and energy for growth. Roots take in water from soil, chlorophyll in leaves absorbs sunlight, and pore-like stoma suck up carbon dioxide and chemicals. The plants use the carbon dioxide, water and sunlight for photosynthesis, then release oxygen, a byproduct of the chemical reaction, back into the air.

Under controlled conditions, certain houseplants were found by scientists to remove as much as 87 percent of indoor air pollutants within 24 hours.

What toxins are in your air

• Trichloroethylene is found in iks, paints, varnishes, paint removers, strippers, adhesives, spot removers and rug-cleaning fluids. Potential health hazards include dizziness, headache, sleepiness, nausea, confusion, blurred vision, facial numbness and weakness.

• Xylene is found in rubber, inks, leathers, paints, sealants, insecticides, markers and household cleaners. Potential health hazards include mouth and throat irritation, dizziness, headache, confusion, heart problems, liver and kidney damage, coma.

• Formaldehyde is found in composite-wood products, building materials, insulation, glues, permanent press fabrics, paints, lacquers, paper bags, paper towels, napkins, medicines, cosmetics, dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners. Potential health hazards include skin, eye, nose and throat irritation, swelling of the larynx and lungs, cancer

• Benzene is found in plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, adhesives, thinners, inks, solvents, dyes, detergents and pharmaceuticals. Potential health hazards include drowsiness, dizziness, eye irritation, headaches, elevated heart rate and unconsciousness.

• Ammonia is found in window cleaners, floor waxes, household cleaners, caulk, grout, silver polish, plastics, dyes, fabrics and fertilizers. Potential health hazards is found in eye irritation, coughing, sore throat, burning, blindness and lung damage.

Which plants remove which pollutants?

• Boston fern removes xylene and formaldehyde

• Spider plant removes xylene and formaldehyde

• Bamboo palm removes xylene and formaldehyde

• Devil's ivy removes xylene, formaldehyde and benzene (but is toxic to children and pets)

• Flamingo lilly removes xylene, formaldehyde and ammonia (but is toxic to children and pets)

• Lilyturf removes trichloroethylene, xylene and ammonia

• Broadleaf lady palm removes xylene and formaldehyde

• Baberton daisy removes trichloroethylene, xylene and formaldehyde

• Cornstalk dracaena removes trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene (but is toxic to children and pets)

• English ivy removes trichloroethylene, xylene, formaldehyde and benzene (but is toxic to children and pets)

• Varigated snake plant removes trichloroethylene, xylene, formaldehyde and benzene (but is toxic to children and pets)

• Red-edged dracaena removes trichloroethylene, xylene, formaldehyde and benzene (but is toxic to children and pets)

• Peace lily removes trichloroethylene, xylene, formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia (but is toxic to children and pets)

• Florist's chrysanthemum removes trichloroethylene, xylene, formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia (but is toxic to children and pets)

How to maintain your plants

Many houseplants are fairly easy to grow if you pay attention to their specific needs. Different species require varying amounts of sunlight, water and fertilizer. Carefully read the care instructions for any new houseplant you bring home, and don’t be afraid to ask an employee at the nursery or garden center for advice. Here are some general pointers.

• Choose a pot with a hole or holes in the bottom to allow for proper drainage. Place a coffee filter or a shard of broken pot over each hole. That will prevent the potting mix from washing out but still will allow water to escape.

• Use sterile soil to minimize fungus gnats and other soil-borne diseases. Be sure the potting mix is damp when planting.

• Houseplants need regular fertilizing to maintain healthy growth. Most varieties should be fertilized every few weeks from January through September.

• Consider how much sun your plants will need. Plants that require full sun typically thrive in south-facing windows. East-and west-facing windows tend to provide moderate sunlight. North-facing windows typically provide very little sun.

• Most plants thrive when their roots are consistently moist but not wet, although some plants prefer drier soil. Check the care label for each species to determine the appropriate watering routine. Water the plants until water comes out of the drainage hole. Avoid wetting the leaves and stems.

• Inspect plants for signs of disease or pests before purchasing them. Steer clear of plants that are dropping leaves or have leaves that are wilted or spotted, look cupped or pinched, or have pock marks or bumps.

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