NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have announced the findings of a 2-year study the suggests a sophisticated pollution-absorbing device: the common indoor plant may provide a natural way to 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 year by Dr. Bill Wolverton, formerly senior research scientist at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.
Based in 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 plant to determine they effectiveness in remove 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 some will be launch in to space as part of the biological life support system aboard future orbiting space stations.
While more research in 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 an work places," he concludes.
Each plant type was placed in sealed, Plexiglas chambers in which chemicals were injected. Philodendron, spider plant and the golden pothos were labeled to 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 were Dracaena Massangeana, Spathiphyllum, and Golden Pothos. " Plants take substances out of the air through tiny openings in they leaves," says Wolverton. "But research in our laboratories has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil bacteria are 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 active 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, and enjoy life more.
*****Table*****
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a commercial product found in a wide variety of industrial uses. Over 90 percent of the TCE produces is use 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 heptacellular carcinomas was observed in mice given TCE by Gastric intubation and now considers this chemical a potent liver carcinogen. Benzene is a very commonly use solvent and is also present in items including gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plants, plastics, and rubber. In addition it is used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceutical, and dyes.
Benzene has long been known to irritate the skin and eyes. I addition, it has been shown to be mutagenic to bacterial cell culture and has shown embrotoxic 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 can 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, 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 relative 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 been reported and publicized include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and particle broad or pressed wood products used in manufacturing of office furniture bought today. It is used in consumer paper products which have been treated with UF resins, including grocery bags, waxed paper, 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. Others 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 of 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 was asthma. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently conducted research which has caused formaldehyde to be suspected of causing a rare type of throat cancer in long-term occupants of mobile homes.
Back to the Bell Nursery Web Page