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Clean
Air Machines
Everyone seems to be jumping on the environmental bandwagon. I
have always been a proponent of planting and plants. But now
I can take it even a step further. Not only do I recommend planting
outside, there is research that suggests houseplants may clean
air indoor as well.
Research
conducted by NASA as part of an effort to develop life-support
systems for space stations found that
ordinary potted house plants
removed pollution from the air, The Associated Landscape Contractors
of America was sufficiently intrigued to jointly fund a two-year
project with NASA for further research and to create the Foliage
for Clean Air council in Falls church, Virginia.
All
of this research could lead to one possible solution to “sick
building syndrome.” Buildings have been designed in the
past few years to improve energy efficiency and in so doing
have sealed
in pollutants given off by everything from inks and paints
to carpeting and insulation.
According
to a Times-Post Service item, research by environmental
engineer and microbiologist B.C. Wolverton, a NASA scientist
indicates different houseplants may have different pollutant-absorbing
abilities.
For Example, the spider plant and golden pothos absorb formaldehyde,
which is release from insulation, plywood and carpeting.
English ivy seems to eliminate benzene, a possible carcinogen
that
is released by taco smoke, gasoline, inks, paints and plastics.
Flowering plants
such as the peace lily, Gerbera daisy and chrysanthemum have
removed lacquers and adhesives.
Despite
such discoveries, there is a school of thought that opposes further
study into
the benefits of houseplants and
believes that
culprit pollutants should be stopped at their source, rather
than compensated with plants. While finding the source
of pollution should always be pursued, the benefits derived
from houseplants
shouldn’t be overlooked.
In addition, these environmental extras give us a great
reason to give indoor plants as gifts. While I’ve
always suggested a gift certificate from a garden center
as a house-warming gift
for a new homeowner, now you can give indoor plants to
everyone and know that you are doing them a great service.
If
you’re like me, you probably have a few friends
who claim to have less than a green thumb. For these
people,
maybe a book
on the art of growing houseplants would be a good accompanying
gift. There are literally hundreds of books out there,
all with strong points. Start at your favorite garden
center for a recommendation,
or check with the reference librarian at your local library
before heading off to a bookstore. Many of these books
are best used as
reference – they are probably not the type of text
that would be read cover-to-cover at a sitting. Other
gifts include plant
misters, fertilizer, even leaf shine products or decorative
pots.
As
the holiday season approaches, remember plants as a practical,
environmentally sound gift. After all,
what
better gift can
you give than fresh air?
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