New Delhi: With the national capital witnessing its worst smog in 17 years this week, the hazardous level of air pollution has once again put residents' health at risk from various respiratory diseases, including asthma.
Hence, the air quality inside your house can be as perilous as outside. In an attempt to reduce indoor air pollution at home or lower chances of becoming sick from pollution, people rush to buy air purifiers or protective face masks. But, you can improve the air quality at your home and make it safer for your family. Fortunately, you can also get rid of pollution using a cheap, green technique – planting trees.
Also Read: Air pollution and your health - Five reasons why you need an air purifier!
By Salome Phelamei | Last Updated: Friday, November 4, 2016 - 11:31
The fact that plants have less horse power than air purifiers, but they’re more natural, cost effective, and therapeutic. Here are some air-cleaning household plants that are safe to be kept at your nest:
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Native to Africa, this plant is found to be effective in removing pollutants. A study by NASA found that the spider plant not only released oxygen and removed carbon dioxide in relatively low levels of light, it also has the remarkable ability to trap and absorb many harmful toxins from the air.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
(Image credit: Petr Filippov - Own work/Wikipedia)
English Ivy is an invasive species that provides a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air, helping neutralize the effects of sick building syndrome.
Flamingo lily (Anthurium andraeanum)
(Image credit: By Karl Thomas Moore - Own work/Wikipedia)
Anthurium lilym is one of the plants listed in the NASA Clean Air Study as effective in removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and ammonia from the air.
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Ferns are highly efficient at removing indoor air pollutants, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene. Nephrolepis exaltata is a very popular house plant, often grown in hanging baskets or similar conditions.
Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
(Image credit: KENPEI - KENPEI's photo/Wikipedia)
Dypsis lutescens, also known as bamboo palm, golden cane palm, areca palm, yellow palm,or butterfly palm, is a species of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family. As per NASA and Dr B C Wolverton, the areca palm can filter indoor air pollutants such as xylene and toluene. At 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in height, the arecan plant can transpire 1 liter of water per 24 hours, thereby making it an effective humidifier.
