The air we currently breathe can sometimes cause us some other health problems. However, we are not alone: we can count on the help of what, according to NASA itself, are the 18 best indoor plants to purify the air.
In this infographic I am going to tell you what each of them are, as well as the toxins that treat each specific species, so that, at least in the protection of your home, you breathe clean and pure air.
What is in the air and what are its effects on our health?
- TrichlorethyleneFound in printer inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives, and ink removers. Prolonged exposure can cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting followed by drowsiness, and we could even end up in a coma.
- FormaldehydeFound in paper bags, paper towels, napkins, and synthetic fabrics. If we are exposed to it for a long time, we will have irritated nose and throat. In severe cases, our larynx and lungs would swell.
- Benzene: used for the manufacture of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, lubricants, colorants and detergents. It can also be found in tobacco smoke, vehicle exhausts, glue, paint, and furniture polish. Symptoms that it can cause are eye irritation, drowsiness, dizziness, increased heart rate, headaches, confusion and, in some cases, loss of consciousness.
- xylene: We find it in printer inks, rubber, leather and industrial paint. Also in tobacco smoke and car exhaust pipes. Prolonged exposure will cause mouth and throat irritation, dizziness, headache, confusion, and heart and liver problems. We could also have kidney damage and, in severe cases, end up in a coma.
- Ammonia: found in glass cleaners, aromatic salts and fertilizers. The most common symptoms are eye irritation, cough, and sore throat.
What are plants and what toxin do they attack?
According to NASA, the best plants to purify the air are:
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- Phoenix roebelenii: attacks formaldehyde and xylene toxins.
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- Nephrolepsis obliterata: attacks formaldehyde and xylene toxins.
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- nephrolepsis exaltata
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- Liriope spicata: attacks trichlorethylene toxins: xylene and ammonia.
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- Hedera helix: attacks trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, benzene and xylene toxins.
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- Gerbera jamesonii: attacks trichlorethylene, xylene and formaldehyde toxins.
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- Chrysanthemum morifolium: attacks trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and ammonia toxins.
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- Dracaena fragrans: attacks trichlorethylene, formaldehyde and xylene toxins.
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- Epipremnum aureum: attacks formaldehyde, benzene and xylene toxins.
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- Ficus benjamina: attacks formaldehyde and xylene toxins.
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- Aglaonema modestum: attacks formaldehyde and benzene toxins.
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- Anthurium andraeanum
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- Chamaedorea seifrizii: attacks formaldehyde and xylene toxins.
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- Spathiphyllum »Mauna Loa»: attacks the toxins formaldehyde, trichlorethylene, benzene, xylene and ammonia.
Study and source
This image that you can see at the bottom belongs to the study carried out by NASA. It is extracted from here.
Put plants in your home to purify the air and say goodbye to problems .