Plants that clean your indoor air

Well with the budget for space exploration as low as it currently is NASA has been working on a lot of other projects. Okay, the following project does make sense for NASA considering clean air is important no matter where you are - Earth, the moon, or otherwise. Continuing from some research they'd done in the 60's and onward is a great study on indoor air pollution. Good news everyone - plants can help!

Bamboo Plant

These plants help absorb benzene and formaldehyde. The study placed the plants in plexiglass chambers which were then injected with various substances.

This is taken directly from the report which you can find here.
"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. Consumer paper products,including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues, and paper towels, are treated with urea- formaldehyde (UF) resins. Many common household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde. UF resins are used as stiffeners, wrinkle resisters, water repellants, fire retardants, and adhesive binders in floor covering, carpet backing, and permanent-press clothes. Other sources of formaldehyde include cigarette smoke and heating and cooking fuels such as natural gas and kerosene.

Formaldehyde irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat. It is a highly reactive chemical that 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 upper respiratory tract and eyes and headaches.(2,3) Until recently, the most serious disease attributed to formaldehyde exposure was asthma..."

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

Gerber Daisy

Benzene has long been known to irritate the skin and eyes. Furthermore it has been shown to be mutagenic to bacterial cell cultures and has shown embryotoxic activity and carcinogenicity in some tests. Evidence also exists that benzene may be a contributing factor of chromosomal aberrations and leukemia in humans. Repeated skin contact with benzene causes 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 animal 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 disease."

Peace Lily

Top 10 most effective plants
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
Warneckii - Dracaena “Warneckii”

If you have pets one thing to keep in mind is which plants are toxic to cats and/or dogs. My options so far are either the bamboo palm or Gerber daisies. Play it safe and look up any plants you want to buy before you bring them into your home. The ASPCA has a searchable list with all the toxicity warnings for pets: ASPCA Plants