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Health Benefits of Live Plants
 
Space Research has lead to some interesting findings
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We all know that indoor plants look nice. They improve the appearance and
feel of an office environment. New findings suggest, however, that they may add more than just colour and interest. They also
filter the air, and can fight against the common high-tech ill, sick building disease.
Everyday while at work we are constantly bombarded with toxic fumes from carpets, furniture,
office cleaning products, printers and photocopiers. Exposure to these chemicals can result in a general feeling of being
under the weather, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision and respiratory complaints - or even severe allergic reactions.
Unless combatted, this can often lead to poor concentration and even increases in sick leave.
The Solution: Plants clean the Air ! |
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NASA Research
NASA recommends eight plants in the average sized home and considerably more in the office
environment where air borne chemicals from photocopiers and furnishings are an even greater threat. America's Foliage for
Clean Air Council suggests that one plant can help to clean up every 100 square feet of space.
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Recent research undertaken by the NASA Space Administration in America has
yielded some very interesting results.
In a test lasting two years conducted by Dr B.C. Wolverton at the Stennis Space Centre in Mississippi it was discovered
that common house plants are capable of converting chemical air pollutants into harmless substances.
NASA needed to find a safe, natural filtering process for space laboratories. They discovered
that about a dozen of the commonest indoor plants and a few exotic varieties, can remove noxious gases effectively. And many
of these gases are to be found in modern offices- by-products of our technically advanced age.
So if trailing ivies and peace lillies help to clean up space shuttles, what could they
do for your office ? |
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Which Plants
Work Best ?
This Draceana Marginata is great at cleaning the air ! |
Ivy, one of the smallest of house plants, does an excellent job of cleaning
the air of toxins, especially benzene and TCE.
The humble potted Chrysanthemum is another goodie. You can place a number of plants around your office or make up a high
scoring clean-air cocktail by adding such plants as Peace Lillies and Parlour Palms.
Better still are various forms of Dracaena . Dracaena Warnecki and Dracaena Janet Craig are real pollutant sucking types.
Chinese Evergreen and the humble Philoderdron are also two to watch out for. |
