Back in the late ‘80s, NASA was looking for ways to detoxify the air in its space stations. So it conducted a study to determine the most effective plants for filtering the air of toxic agents and converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. In 1989, their results were published in a clean air study that provided a definitive list of the plants that are most effective at cleaning indoor air. The report also suggested having at least one plant per every hundred square feet of home or office space.
What’s in our air? Things like trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and ammonia. (*More information on these airborne toxins can be found below.) But, as NASA found, these 17 plants can help filter them out of the air, so you can breathe a little bit easier:
1. Dwarf date palm
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2. Boston fern
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3. Kimberley queen fern
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4. Spider plant
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5. Chinese evergreen
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6. Bamboo palm
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7. Weeping fig
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8. Devil’s ivy
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9. Flamingo lily
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10. Broadleaf lady palm
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11. Barberton daisy
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12. Cornstalk dracaena
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13. English ivy
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14. Varigated snake plant
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15. Red-edged dracaena
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16. Peace lily
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17. Florist’s chrysanthemum
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*Trichloroethylene is found in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives, and paint removers. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure can include excitement, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting, followed by drowsiness and coma.
Formaldehyde can be found in paper bags, waxed papers, facial tissues, paper towels, plywood paneling, and synthetic fabrics. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure can include irritation to nose, mouth and throat, and in severe cases, swelling of the larynx and lungs.
Benzene is used to make plastics, resins, lubricants, detergents, and drugs. It's also found in tobacco smoke, glue, and furniture wax. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure can include irritation to eyes, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, increase in heart rate, headaches, confusion, and in some cases, can result in unconsciousness.
Xylene can be found in rubber, leather, tobacco smoke, and vehicle exhaust. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure can include irritation to mouth and throat, dizziness, headache, confusion, heart problems, liver and kidney damage, and coma.
Ammonia is often in window cleaners, floor waxes, smelling salts, and fertilizers. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure can include eye irritation, coughing, and sore throat.
An earlier version of this appeared on GOOD.
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