(word processor parameters LM=8, RM=75, TM=2, BM=2) Taken from KeelyNet BBS (214) 324-3501 Sponsored by Vangard Sciences PO BOX 1031 Mesquite, TX 75150 There are ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRICTIONS on duplicating, publishing or distributing the files on KeelyNet except where noted! October 30, 1993 CLEANAIR.ASC -------------------------------------------------------------------- This file shared with KeelyNet courtesy of Bob Aldrich. -------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************************** From: Lawrence London Msg Num: 62 of 68 To: ALL Date: 03 Apr 92 00:49:10 Subj: Air cleaning plants. Attr: Sent Read: N Conf: Sustainable Agriculture in rec.gardens: From: Vivienne Ballantyne Subject: RE: Plants that clean the air? Date: 19 Feb 92 13:53:06 GMT Our recycle "think Green" department put out the following list of air cleaning plants: Aloe or Aloe Vera, Bamboo or Reed Palm, Spider Plant, Dragon Tree, Devil's Ivy, English Ivy, Banana Tree, Peace Lily, Bowstring Hemp, African Gerbera, Heart-leaf Philodendron, Janet Craig and Warnecheii Bracaena. These plants are supposed to help reduce formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Article 5515 (109 more) in rec.gardens: From: Kelly F. Subject: Plants that Clean the Air Article Summary: Results of NASA study and list of plants used Date: 29 Feb 92 18:04:04 GMT Most of the following article is from the July-August issue of California Garden Magazine, "House Plants Do Clean Air" by Barbara S. Jones. The original paper reference is "Interior Landscape Plants For Indoor Air Pollution Abatement" Final Report, Sept. 15, 1989. NASA, J.C. Stennis Space center, MS. For the past 16 years, scientists have been exploring the problem of "sick building syndrome." People experienced skin, eye and respiratory discomfort in tightly enclosed mobile homes and sealed air-conditioned buildings. It was originally thought to be caused by microorganisms, but has been proved to be caused by irritating gases given off by the material used for and in the buildings. The major volitile gases found were benzene, trichlorethylene and formaldehyde. Page 1 The major items which give off these gases are: BENZENE: ink, paint, plastics, rubber, detergents, pharmaceuticals, dyes, etc, (Irritates the skin and eyes, can cause headaches, nausea, etc., and can lead to chromosomal aberrations and leukemia in humans.) TRICHLORRETHYLENE (TCE): dry cleaning, printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives. (Liver carcinogen.) FORMALDEHYDE: all indoor environments. WIdely used in UFFI foam insulation, particle board and pressed wood products. Used in grocery bags, waxed paper, facial tissues, paper towels, fabric stiffeners, wrinkle resisters, water repellents, fire retardants, adhesive binders, permanent-press clothes. Produced by cigarette smoke, and heating and cooking fuels. (Irritates the mucous membranes of eyes, nose, throat and causes headaches.) Sixteen common house plants which are inexpensive, easy to grow, easily obtained and need low light levels were used for the NASA- ALCA experiments. (Not all of the plants were used for every experiment.) It is proven that plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen in the process. These tests were conducted to see if common volitile gases could be removed from the air during this process. The plants were tested in sealed plexiglass containers with controlled environments using accurate measurement devices. Sterile soil was tested, then plants growing in soil, then plants with the leaves removed. It was found that more volitile chemicals were removed from the air when the plants were in pots where maximum soil surface was exposed. (When lower leaves that touched the soil were removed, more chemicals were removed.) Evidence indicated that the SOIL MICROORGANISMS growing with the plants were very effective in utilizing the chemicals. The implication of the report was that the root-soil zone appeared to be the most effective area for removal of volitile organic chemicals from the air. All of the plants tested did remove some of the chemicals as well as carbon dioxide from the air. The plants tested were: _Chamaedorea selfritzii_ (bamboo palm); _Aglaonema modestum_ (Chinese evergreen); _Hedera helix_ (English ivy); _Fiscus benjamina_ ; _Gerbera jamesonii_; _Chrysanthemum moriflium_ (Florists' Mum); _Sansevieria laurentii_ (Snake Plant); _Spathiphyllum_ "Mauan" (Peace Lily); _D.marginata, D. massangeana_ (Corn Cane); _Philodendron oxycardium_ (heart leaf); _P. domesticum_ (elephant's ear); _P. selloum_ (lace tree); _Chlorophytum elatum_ (spider plant); _Musa oriana_ (banana); _Scindapsus aureus_ (Golden pathos); and _Aloe vera_ Page 2 In these experiments the most effective plants for the removal of formaldehyde were the banana, snake plant, english ivy, bamboo palm and the heart leafed philodendron. The most effective plants in removing Benzene were Gerbera daisy, pot mum, english ivy, and snake plant. The most effective plants in removing TCE were the gerbera daisy and english ivy. Remember, not all 16 were tested on all chemicals and there may be many other plants not tested that are equally, if not more, effective in removing volitle chemicals from the air. The experiments are just the beginning and many more need to be done before the 'world's best air cleaner" plant can be identified. Today its very stylish to have house plants. Slick publications show home interiors loaded with plants, jewelry and fashions are shown with plants, celebrities sit with plants. Many of these plants are artificial. Homes and businesses are loaded with artificial plants. Unfortunately, most of the artficial plants increase "sick building syndrome" problems. Not only do the plants give off volatile chemicals, but they collect germ-carrying dust. Enclosed environments would be healthier and smell better if artificial plants were eliminated. Ed. note: It has been estimated that it takes one growing houseplant for every 100 square feet to clean the air of an average home. My notes (Kelly): I think the important points of this article are: The plants are not doing the majority of 'air cleaning' its the microbes! A healthy soil and large soil surface for air exchange is something to keep in mind when using plants for this particular purpose. I've also seen living plants in nurseries carrying 'we clean the air' tags which is obviously a rip off of the study and just another way to get you to buy their product. Buy what will grow for YOU and what you enjoy looking at every day...Finally, its just ONE study about this subject, its not the bible so take it all witha few grains of salt...:) Kelly ! Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) -------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have comments or other information relating to such topics as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page. 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