Clean Air Leads To Bright Employees

By Linda Kay Harrison

It’s true that diet and exercise are important, but if you really want to be happier, healthier, and more productive at work or at home, surround yourself with houseplants!

We’ve known for quite a while that plants remove toxins from the air, but did you know that they can also, reduce stress, lower illness rates, and improve learning ability?

According to a study done by the Norway University of Agriculture, indoor plants can reduce fatigue, coughs, sore throats and other cold-related illnesses by increasing humidity levels and removing chemical irritants and dust from the air. Tests also showed that attentiveness and learning increased considerably when participants worked in areas surrounded by indoor plants.

Many corporations and major employers are learning that adding indoor plants greatly improves employee health and morale. This is also good to keep in mind for your student’s study areas and dorm rooms. Schools and corporations both have reported up to 30 percent decrease in student/employee absences after indoor plants were added to work areas.

All plants remove impurities from the air to some degree. But some plants are better at absorbing certain chemicals than others. Below is a list of plants and the chemicals they absorb best.

* The following information is from a study done by the National Aeronautics & Space Administration – NASA

The most common indoor pollutants are formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. These chemicals can be harmful and cause a variety of health problems. They are found in many common household products.

Formaldehyde is commonly found in particleboard and pressed wood products as well as in water repellents, fire retardants, natural gas and kerosene. It’s also known to be a component in cigarette smoke. The best plants for absorbing formaldehyde are:

Philodendron - any type
Dracena - Janet Craig --(Photo #2)
Chlorphytum - spider plant -- (Photo #3)
Dracena - Marginata -- (Photo #5)
Pothos - any type
Bamboo Palm --- (Photo #1)
Sanseveria - snake plant
Spathaphylum - Peace Lily -- (Photo #4)

Bensene is in most products containing inks, oils, and paints made of plastic or rubber. The best plants for removing benzene are:

Gerbera Daisy
Dracena - Janet Craig
Crysanthamum
Dracena - Warneckei
Bamboo Palm
Spathaphylum - Peace Lily

Trichloroethylene is in paints and varnishes which are the two of the most common sources of this chemical in your home. Trichloroethylene is considered a carcinogen. The best plants for removing trichloroethylene are:

Gerbera Daisy
Dracena - Janet Craig
Bamboo Palm
Dracena - Warneckei
Spathaphylum - Peace Lily
Dracena - Marginata

Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and other pollutants are also commonly found in carpeting, cleansers, perfume and even in furniture and appliances.

To take this idea a step further,… we already know that a good night’s sleep can reduce stress and improve health, so in addition to using the above plants in daytime work areas, try bromeliads, orchids and succulents in sleeping areas. These plants exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide at night rather than during the day like most other plants. This is a great way to freshen the air you breathe during sleep, and wake feeling more alert and healthy.

House plants are great for brightening a room, but it’s great to know that they can actually make YOU brighter too!