Newsletters: January-February-March 2010

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Detoxify Your Home with Plants

By Bridget GuruBeant Kamke

As a New Leaf Market owner or shopper, you are likely to be careful to eat healthy foods. But how many of us are as careful about the air we breathe?

Research indicates that we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, and consume 15 kilograms of air a day compared with one kilogram of food. The United States Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air pollution, from many conventional building materials and cleaning solvents, as one of the top five threats to public health.

At least 300 volatile substances found inside many buildings (including things such as building materials, cleaners, inks, paper products, and synthetic fibers) are all potential causes of human ailments. The most common harmful airborne chemicals found in homes or offices are formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and carbon monoxide. Even in low concentrations these chemicals can cause a variety of health problems. Some common ailments attributed to indoor off gassing are headaches, sinus problems, asthma, unnatural fatigue, conjunctivitis, chemical hypersensitivity syndrome and chronic degenerative conditions.

We can get outdoors more and leave our windows cracked open when weather permits, but ultimately the maintenance of indoor air quality is an important step in avoiding the accumulation of toxins.

Research scientist Dr. B. C. Wolverton conducted studies for NASA to find a solution to maintaining air quality inside confined places such as space stations. He discovered that photosynthesizing plants and their roots and associated microorganisms break down contaminants, which are then taken up as nutrients. He published the results on 50 plants in his book, Eco Friendly House Plants.

Wolverton discovered that Boston fern, chrysanthemum, dracaena and ivy were highly effective at removing formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene from sealed chambers. Golden pothos and philodendrons remove formaldehyde (found commonly in particle board and foam insulation) out of the surrounding air, while flowering plants such as chrysanthemums and gerbera daisies can neutralize benzene, a toxic industrial solvent. Other detoxifying plants include areca palm, corn plant, golden pothos, Janet Craig, tulip, ficus and spider plant. All are easy to grow indoors and require little light.

NASA’s studies recommend we use 15 to 18 good-sized houseplants in six-inch to eight-inch containers to improve the air quality in an average 1,800 square-foot house. The healthier the plant, the better job it will do.

Reenie Rogers, who specializes in toxin-free house cleaning, is an excellent local source for information. She frequently teaches workshops at New Leaf Market.