Natural Air Filtration Systems That Can Help Fight Allergies

bamboo palm picture Natural air filtration systems can be found in certain houseplants that can help filter away certain allergens around the house. These plants can be strategically placed around the house. Using houseplants as natural air filtration systems is particularly helpful if you do not have a mold allergy and if you make a diligent effort in cleaning the dust away from the leaves.

peace lily picture A study conducted by NASA and ALCA showed that certain plants can clean and refresh the air. NASA and ALCA spent two years testing 19 common houseplants plants for their ability to remove pollutants from the air. Of the 19 plants they studied, 17 are considered true houseplants, and two, gerbera daisies and chrysanthemums, are more commonly used indoors as seasonal decorations.

It was found that these houseplants filter away pollutants and irritants such as carbon monoxide, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene. Additionally, they emit a substance that reduces mold spores and bacteria.

spider plant picture Apparently, some houseplants are better than others in treating certain chemicals. For example, the following list comprises of houseplants that are great for treating air that has Benzene:

1. English ivy,

2. Gerbera daisies,

3. Pot mums,

4. Peace lily,

5. Bamboo palm, and

6. Mother-in-law’s Tongue

Houseplanss that are great for treating Trichloroethylene include:

1. Peace Lily

2. Gerbera daisy,

3. bamboo palm.

Additionally, NASA found that the bamboo palm, Mother-in-law’s tongue, dracaena warneckei, peace lily, dracaena marginata, golden pathos, and green spider plant worked well for filtering Formaldehyde.

These houseplants can easily be found in most nurseries. Here is the list of recommended houseplants:

1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium’, heartleaf philodendron

2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron

3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana’, cornstalk dracaena

4. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig

5. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig’, Janet Craig dracaena

6. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii’, Warneck dracaena

7. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa’, peace lily

8. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron 9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos

9. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen 4. Hedera helix, English ivy

10. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant

11. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm

12. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant

13. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

striped dracaena picture For an average home of under 2,000 square feet, NASA suggests that having at least fifteen samples of these common houseplants to help remove pollutants and improve air quality. Houseplants should also be grown in six inch containers or larger.