Do you want to live with healthier indoor air quality? Well, there are many chemicals that we bring unknowingly into our homes, but fortunately houseplants can significantly clean the air inside our homes. A study conducted by NASA concluded that many common houseplants could help filter out common household carcinogens, such as benzene (found in plastic materials, glues, paints and dyes), formaldehyde (used in many household products such as cleansers, plywood and bath mats), and xylene and tolulene (both found in leather and rubber products).
Something to consider.
Trichloroethylene or TCE is a carcinogen which is often used in degreasers and other solvents. When we breathe TCE in high enough concentrations, it can affect our central nervous system and cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, blurred vision, and fatigue.
TCE affects the air inside our homes because it can be found in some household products, such as glues, adhesives, paint removers, spot removers, rug cleaning fluids, paints, metal cleaners and typewriter correction fluid. When we use any of these products in an unventilated area, then TCE vapors become concentrated in the air. Another often overlooked source, is if TCE has contaminated the water that comes into our home. When we use the water for washing dishes or clothing, showering, or bathing, then TCE gets into the indoor air through vapors from the water.
TAKE ACTION! Here’s the good news about what you can do.
To reduce TCE exposure:
- Stop using or reduce the use of products containing TCE whenever possible.
- Maintain adequate ventilation when using products with TCE, in order to reduce the concentration of TCE in the air.
- Use a carbon filter on the water supply if TCE is in the water coming into a home. By removing the TCE this will minimize ingestion and inhalation exposures.
- Use a natural air freshener – living plants which filter TCE out of the air. Make sure the plants are not toxic if ingested by pets or children. These plants are effective in removing TCE and are non-toxic: Spider Plant, Gerbera Daisy, and Bamboo Palm.
To find out more about air filtering plants you can order Dr. Wolverton’s book by going to our ‘store’ tab above. Dr. Wolverton’s book is a great resource, but he does not include which ones may be toxic to children or pets. You can order my FREE report “Checklist: 10 Plants That Can Filter VOCs From My Home”, where you’ll find which plants are toxic and which plants are not.
