Hi, i saw a website that said a NASA study researched plants and thier affect on air quality. A few plants that i heard clean the air are Eperenium(Pothos), Indian Rubber Plant, Spider Plant, and Helia Hendrix(English Ivy). Has anyone else heard of this study or know of air cleaning plants? I would do anything to get my allergys to go away. greenthumb95
Here is the direct PDF from NASA's study on air cleansing plants. This is a top 10 list of plants, it might be of interest to you: http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s1-5-82-1379,00.html.
I have read that Indoor ivies are good for allergies, but whether that's REALLY true or not, I don't know, OR, if it is true, if having an ivy, or other plants in the house, would be enough to help you.
Hmm that's a new one for me if it's true! I hope that they can help with your allergies. I've only heard of them taking things like fromaldahyde out of the air (not sure on spelling lol).
As a respiratory therapist of 25 years, a father of children with seasonal allergies, as well as a plant enthusiast, I will caution you. 1) You have to figure out what your allergy triggers are before introducing plants in the environment that may actually make them worse. For many, having certain plants in the home may increase mold/fungi concentrations, thereby making symptoms worse. Having said that, many of the fast-growing "air-cleaning" plants are also ones that thrive in a warm, moist environment. Perfect conditions for mold and fungi. 2) The so-called "air-cleaning" plants do not filter out particulate matter, but rather things like CO2 and a few other chemical vapors. Most air-borne allergies are from particulates like dust, dust mite feces, pet dander, mold/fungi, etc. 3) Your soil mix and watering regimen will play a role in mold/fungi concentrations. Some have found using bonsai soil and/or using hydroponic techniques can reduce allergens. This is assuming you are still paying attention to the amount of moisture and air circulation in the environment which may potentially produce mold/fungi in other areas of the home. Ideally, a fast growing plant that requires little water may fit your requirements for freshening up the air. However, see #2.
That's one of the biggest hoaxes around. A bowl of jello would work just as well. :-) I have yet to see a copy of the actual NASA study that these websites allude to. Was this supposed to be base on some kind of reverse engineered alien technology? ;-) Your money is better spent buying a good air purifier. Michigan Mike has a better handle on this than most. The role live plants play is far more psychological than real.
I think that i will take the risk of mold in my plants, but now i think that it is all fake. Some may really purify the air, but i dont know. I am lucky because some of the easist plants to grow allegidly purify the air. Thanks. greenthumb95
Here is a referenced article that explains how some plants may improve air quality. http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/articles/misc/plntclar.html Again, some plants may remove some chemical vapors, not particulates. For those that have allergies/asthma, know what your triggers are and seek ways to remove them from your environment. Talk with your physician if you have any questions. Keeping your furnace ducts clean, using hard flooring (wood, tile, etc.), air purifiers, and good housekeeping will go a long way towards minimizing allergens. Most of my plants are desert/arid-climate plants that require little water. I also minimize organic material in the soil mix. I have a house full of plants during the colder weather and my family does not seem to be bothered by them at all.
More second-hand anecdotal nonsense. The supposed references are even more anecdotal nonsense. They all show a total misrepresentation of how transpiration in plant actually operates. Where is the actual NASA study they allude to?
