Remember that slimy frog in high school floating in a jar of formaldehyde? Bad news – we’re floating in it too! Formaldehyde is the most commonly found toxin in indoor air. It’s used to treat many common products like garbage bags, paper towels, facial tissues, fabrics and floor coverings. Formaldehyde causes many adverse health problems such as eye, nose and throat irritation, and asthma. House plants can remove formaldehyde along with other toxins that emanate from office equipment and paints and including xylene, toluene, and ammonia.
There are a variety of plants that are expert formaldehyde removers to fit every taste:
Boston ferns, Florist’s mums, Dracaenas,Bamboo palms, Rubber plants, Weeping fig, Peace lily, Areca palms, and Corn plants
Boston ferns, Florist’s mums, Dracaenas,Bamboo palms, Rubber plants, Weeping fig, Peace lily, Areca palms, and Corn plants
Interestingly enough, these plants can remove toxins without reaching a maximum toxic capacity which would result in the plant dying and then releasing toxins back into the air. Instead, they remove the fumes from the air and deliver the airborne toxins to microbes in the roots which use the broken down toxins as sustenance.
This short video shows how to install a "Wally" , see December 10 entry "Green Wall Sprouts up at Studio Sprout" so that you can improving your indoor air quality now! We planted a Boston fern in our wally and it's doing great!
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