Plants,Can They Help?

[[N2GYN] JOHN AZZARA]

I hope this answers some questions.
Or maybe asks more.
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From: John Azzara [N2GYN]
And The Creator Of: alt.health.cfs Completely UN-Moderated Since 12/06/96
Please Reply To: jaz...@suffolk.lib.ny.us "Thank You And 73's"
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[IMAGE] NASA Study shows common plants help reduce indoor air
pollution
From: John A

Common indoor plants may provide a valuable weapon in the fight
against rising levels of indoor air pollution. Those plants in your
office or home are not only decorative, but NASA scientists are
finding them to be surprisingly useful in absorbing potentially
harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings.


[IMAGE] NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America
(ALCA) have announced the findings of a 2-year study that suggest a
sophisticated pollution-absorbing device: the common indoor plant may
provide a natural way of helping combat "SICK BUILDING SYNDROME".


Research into the use of biological processes as a means of solving
environmental problems, both on Earth and in space habitats, has been
carried out for many years by Dr. Bill Wolverton, formerly a senior
research scientist at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, Bay St.
Louis, Miss.


Based on preliminary evaluations of the use of common indoor plants
for indoor air purification and revitalization, ALCA joined NASA to
fund a study using about a dozen popular varieties of ornamental
plants to determine their effectiveness in removing several key
pollutants associated with indoor air pollution. NASA research on
indoor plants has found that living plants are so efficient at
absorbing contaminants in the air that some will be launched into
space as part of the biological life support system aboard future
orbiting space stations.


While more research is needed, Wolverton says the study has shown that
common indoor landscaping plants can remove certain pollutants from
the indoor environment. "We feel that future results will provide an
even stronger argument that common indoor landscaping plants can be a
very effective part of a system used to provide pollution free homes
and work places, " he concludes.


[IMAGE] Each plant type was placed in sealed, Plexiglas chambers in
which chemicals were injected. Philodendron, spider plant and the
golden pothos were labeled the most effective in removing formaldehyde
molecules. Flowering plants such as gerbera daisy and chrysanthemums
were rated superior in removing benzene from the chamber atmosphere.
Other good performers are Dracaena Massangeana, Spathiphyllum, and
Golden Pothos. "Plants take substances out of the air through the tiny
openings in their leaves," Wolverton said. "But research in our
laboratories has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria
are all important in removing trace levels of toxic vapors".


"Combining nature with technology can increase the effectiveness of
plants in removing air pollutants," he said. "A living air cleaner is
created by combining activated carbon and a fan with a potted plant.
The roots of the plant grow right in the carbon and slowly degrade the
chemicals absorbed there," Wolverton explains.


NASA research has consistently shown that living, green and flowering
plants can remove several toxic chemicals from the air in building
interiors. You can use plants in your home or office to improve the
quality of the air to make it a more pleasant place to live and work -
where people feel better, perform better, any enjoy life more.




TOP 10 plants most effective in removing:

formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air.
Common Name Scientific Name Bamboo Palm Chamaedorea Seifritzii Chinese
Evergreen Aglaonema Modestum English Ivy Hedera Helix Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera Jamesonii Janet Craig Dracaena "Janet Craig" Marginata
Dracaena Marginata Mass cane/Corn Plant Dracaena Massangeana
Mother-in-Law's Tongue Sansevieria Laurentii Pot Mum Chrysantheium
morifolium Peace Lily Spathiphyllum "Mauna Loa" Warneckii Dracaena
"Warneckii"
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Overview of Chemicals Used Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a commercial
product found in a wide variety of industrial uses. Over 90 percent of
the TCE produced is used in the metal degreasing and dry cleaning
industries. In addition, it is used in printing inks, paints,
lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives. In 1975 the National Cancer
Institute reported that an unusually high incidence of hepatocellular
carcinomas was observed in mice given TCE by gastric intubation and
now considers this chemical a potent liver carcinogen.
Benzene is a very commo

Benzene is a very commonly used solvent and is also present in many
common items including gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, and
rubber. In addition it is used in the manufacture of detergents,
explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyes.


Benzene has long been known to irritate the skin and eyes. In
addition, it has been shown to be mutagenic to bacterial cell culture
and has shown embryotoxic activity and carcinogenicity in some tests.
Evidence also exists that benzene may be a contributing factor in
chromosomal aberrations and leukemia in humans. Repeated skin contact
with benzene will cause drying, inflammation, blistering and
dermatitis. Acute inhalation of high levels of benzene has been
reported to cause dizziness, weakness, euphoria, headache, nausea,
blurred vision, respiratory diseases, tremors, irregular heartbeat,
liver and kidney damage, paralysis and unconsciousness. In anima tests
inhalation of benzene led to cataract formation and diseases of the
blood and lymphatic systems. Chronic exposure to even relatively low
levels causes headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, nervousness,
psychological disturbances and diseases of the blood system, including
anemia and bone marrow diseases.

nly used solvent and is also present in many common items including
gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, and rubber. In addition it is
used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals,
and dyes.

Benzene has long been known to irritate the skin and eyes. In
addition, it has been shown to be mutagenic to bacterial cell culture
and has shown embryotoxic activity and carcinogenicity in some tests.
Evidence also exists that benzene may be a contributing factor in
chromosomal aberrations and leukemia in humans. Repeated skin contact
with benzene will cause drying, inflammation, blistering and
dermatitis. Acute inhalation of high levels of benzene has been
reported to cause dizziness, weakness, euphoria, headache, nausea,
blurred vision, respiratory diseases, tremors, irregular heartbeat,
liver and kidney damage, paralysis and unconsciousness. In anima tests
inhalation of benzene led to cataract formation and diseases of the
blood and lymphatic systems. Chronic exposure to even relatively low
levels causes headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, nervousness,
psychological disturbances and diseases of the blood system, including
anemia and bone marrow diseases. Formaldehyde is a ubiquitous chemical
found in virtually all indoor environments. The major sources which
have

Formaldehyde is a ubiquitous chemical found in virtually all indoor
environments. The major sources which have been reported and
publicized include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and
particle board or pressed wood products used in manufacturing of the
office furniture bought today. It is used in consumer paper products
which have been treated with UF resins, including grocery bags, waxed
papers, facial tissues and paper towels. Many common household
cleaning agents contain formaldehyde. UF resins are used as
stiffeners, wrinkle resisters, water repellents, fire retardants and
adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backings and
permanent-press clothes. Other sources of formaldehyde include heating
and cooking fuels like natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette smoke.


Formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and
throat. It is also a highly reactive chemical which combines with
protein and can cause allergic contact dermatitis. The most widely
reported symptoms from exposure to high levels of this chemical
include irritation of the eyes and headaches. Until recently, the most
serious of the diseases attributed to formaldehyde exposure was
asthma. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
recently conducted research which has caused formaldehyde to be
strongly suspected of causing a rare type of throat cancer in
long-term occupants of mobile homes.

been reported and publicized include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation
(UFFI) and particle board or pressed wood products used in
manufacturing of the office furniture bought today. It is used in
consumer paper products which have been treated with UF resins,
including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels.
Many common household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde. UF resins
are used as stiffeners, wrinkle resisters, water repellents, fire
retardants and adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backings
and permanent-press clothes. Other sources of formaldehyde include
heating and cooking fuels like natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette
smoke.


Formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and
throat. It is also a highly reactive chemical which combines with
protein and can cause allergic contact dermatitis. The most widely
reported symptoms from exposure to high levels of this chemical
include irritation of the eyes and headaches. Until recently, the most
serious of the diseases attributed to formaldehyde exposure was
asthma. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
recently conducted research which has caused formaldehyde to be
strongly suspected of causing a rare type of throat cancer in
long-term occupants of mobile homes.

For more information, contact the:
PLANTS for CLEAN AIR COUNCIL
3458 Goodspeed Road
Davidsonville, Maryland 21035
Posted with permission!
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