In this rather concise TED video, Kamal Meattle explains that there are three common plants that can be used to grow all the fresh air needed to maintain human health. Research suggests that these plants can help with tight, energy-efficient structures to mitigate what’s commonly referred to as sick building syndrome. The plants are:
- Areca palm (chrysalidocarpus lutescens): converts CO2 into oxygen.
- Mother-in-law’s tongue (sansevieria trifasciata) – converts CO2 into oxygen at night.
- Money plant (epipremnum aureum) – removes formaldehyde and other volatile chemicals.
Meattle mentions certain “NASA learnings,” and it turns out the government backed a substantial amount of research in this area. For example, in a report [PDF] published in September 15, 1989, NASA concluded: “If man is moved into closed environments, on Earth or in space, he must take along nature’s life support system.”
In other words, nature has a way of keeping the air clean.
The summary of NASA’s report also said: “Low-light-requiring houseplants, along with activated carbon plant filters, have demonstrated the potential for improving indoor air quality by removing trace organic pollutants from the air in energy-efficient buildings.”
Meattle explains the number of plants required per person, but I suppose a smaller home with more occupants might not have room for all these plants. In that case, perhaps a start is a start.
Are you pursuing an air cleaning strategy with indoor plants? Which ones?
Interesting, as Mother-in-law’s tongue is considered a toxic plant. If the plan is to keep these in the house, make sure that they are out of the reach of children.
They actually are not toxic, although if you eat enough of anything you will get sick.
http://lancaster.unl.edu/factsheets/031.htm
I guess that it all depends on where you look. This is where I found it on a toxic list:
http://www.ohsu.edu/poison/documents/toxicPlants.pdf
Here is another interesting TED video which is along the same lines. Architect in NY is using Oysters to purify the contaminated rivers and canals.
http://www.sutmundo.com/biological-water-treatment/
[…] Take four minutes and watch the video and also read the article How to Clean Air with Indoor Plants. […]
The best part is that these plants can grow via Hydroponics, meaning there’s no hassle in cleaning up dirt or soil falling from any pots or tray.
I really appreciate the information you’ve posted here -and I’m surprised because I thought the common ‘spider plant’ was one of the top three. Thanks for your very informative and interesting blog, Preston! ~ Rachel
[…] today, it took some of NASA’s brightest researchers to put the facts together. There are three indoor plants that can sustain healthy air in space, and even more so in your apartment. Money plant rids the air […]
Plants require security to keep them protected from intruders. Where I live in Brooklyn, the air is toxic a bit and the security guards patrol on foot and in marked patrol vehicles.