Let’s Get Planty: 9 Air-Purifying Plants To Help You Breathe Easy

We owe a lot to plants: they nourish our bodies, brighten our habitats and - most importantly - helps us breathe better inside them. While any kind of greenery will do some good, this study by NASA pinpoints the best air-purifying plants for our homes; we're sharing a few of our least-likely-to-die faves for easy reference - and easier respiration.

No matter how clean we keep our casas, modern life means the quality of our air is inevitably compromised. There are plenty of ways to filter out the toxins that are too close for comfort (check out five simple solutions here), but nothing quite compares to the mood-boosting, design-defining benefits of a few pretty plants.

Brush up on houseplant care tips here, pick out a few new babies below and don't be shy: NASA recommends at least one plant per every 100-square feet of indoor space. We're filling up empty corners, boring bookshelves and every window sill we can find with these low-maintenance, air-purifying plants...

What's In Our Air?

Trichloroethylene: Found in some soaps, perfumes, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives, paint remover, printing inks, disinfectants and dyes. Symptoms associated with short term exposure include dizziness, headache, nausea and drowsiness.

Formaldehyde: Found in some paper bags, paper towels,facial tissues, table napkins, plywood panelling, synthetic fabrics, disinfectants and personal care products. Symptoms associated with short term exposure include irritation to nose, mouth and throat. Learn more about where formaldehyde lurks, and why it's dangerous here.

Benzene: Used to make plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, and pesticides, benzene can also be found in vehicle exhausts, glue, paint and furniture wax. It commonly enters the air through heating systems, cooking devices. Symptoms associated with short-term exposure include irritation to eyes, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, increase in heart rate and headaches.

Xylene: Found in leather, paint, cleaning agents and vehicle exhausts. Symptoms associated with short term exposure include irritation to eyes, drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, depression to the nervous system and possible liver and kidney damage.

Ammonia: Found in window cleaner, surface sanitizers, floor waxes, aerosols, fertilizers and even some food products (seriously. Read up here). Symptoms associated with short term exposure include eye irritation, coughing and sore throat.

The post Let’s Get Planty: 9 Air-Purifying Plants To Help You Breathe Easy appeared first on The Chalkboard.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/2kmyzSG
via IFTTT