The Living Air Filters - Part II

Life on Earth depends on plants directly and indirectly. Plants help to clean and purify the air and balance the humidity level. They absorb pollutants and scrub harmful gases and fight pollution.  Plants absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide through stomata of the leaves and return oxygen and water vapour into the atmosphere. This process is called photosynthesis. This process balances the proportion of oxygen in the atmosphere.

Plants give out extra water as water vapour through stomata by another physiological process called transpiration. So, transpiration creates coolness and increases humidity level in the surrounding environment. So plants are able to function as air humidifiers and will substitute air conditioners to a large extent.   Plants are effective at filtering pollutants. The leaves of the plants absorb the pollutants and transport them to the roots of the plant where they become food for the microbes present in the soil. So, plants should be cultivated indoor to curb indoor air pollution. Plants act as air filters.

Plants as Indoor air filters have several advantages. They are:

• Plants are beautiful and Natural.  
• They have aesthetic appeal.
• They are inexpensive as no energy is consumed.
•  Help in reversing global warming.
• They reduce sound level. 
• They have cooling effect.
• They absorb carbon di oxide and emit oxygen.
• They increase positive feelings.
• They reduce stress and anxiety levels.
• They improve concentration levels and increase productivity.

Plants can be grown in pots and may be placed inside the living area of our homes.  We can keep them near the windows in bed room, living room, balconies and kitchen.  Major indoor air pollutants are Benzene, Xylene, Formaldehyde, Carbon mono oxide and Carbon dioxide.

Indoor living area is becoming smaller and smaller in many cities. We should be wise enough to select a very few important plants to filter indoor air. Plants should have rich foliage of broad leaves. Broad leaves can filter and purify air in a short time. For effective filtration of indoor air we should cultivate two to three plants and just two herbs. They are: Areca Plant, Money Plant, and Mother in law's tongue. Two herbs are Ajwain plant and Holy Basil. These plants are easy to take care and maintain.

 Areca Palm Plant

The botanical name of this plant is Chrysalidocarpus lutescens.  It is an ornamental plant, suitable as indoor plant. It is a living room plant. It balances the humidity level of the room. It absorbs unwanted odour, smell of varnish and hence removes benzene and other volatile organic compounds. It is one of the best and efficient air humidifiers. They keep the indoor air moist and cool during day time. They filter and remove chemical toxins from the indoor air continuously. During winter, they  can replace electric humidifiers. Certain symptoms like weakness, drowsiness, irritation will slowly subside on growing this plant.

Money Plant

The botanical name is Epipremnum aureum.  They grow in shade as they do not require sunlight. It is a fast growing plant. It is a specialist plant that filters allergens, formaldehyde, benzene and other volatile organic compounds from the air. It absorbs odour of paints and solvents. It can be grown in a pot of soil or in a bowl of water. It can be kept anywhere in the house. It filters the air of kitchen during cooking and filters carbon-di-oxide and carbon monoxide from the indoor air. It can be grown to decorate the entire house like climber. Certain symptoms like headache, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness may be controlled. 

Mother in law’s tongue

The botanical name is Sansevieria trifasciata. It is one of the best plants to clean indoor air. It has very broad leaves so that it has a vast surface area to absorb pollutants from indoor air and convert them into harmless substances. It can be cultivated in the bedroom as it produces oxygen during the night time. The leaves of this plant can absorb formaldehyde, chloroform, benzene, Xylene etc. Certain symptoms like irritation of eyes, skin, irregular heartbeat, head ache, weakness, dizziness, and respiratory ailments will slowly disappear. This plant is easy to cultivate and maintain.

Ajwain plant and Holy Basil

The Botanical name of Holy Basil is Ocimum Sanctum or Ocimum tenuiflorum. The botanical name of Ajwain plant is Trachyspermum ammi.  These two plants are aromatic herbs which can be planted in pots and kept anywhere in the houses. The aroma of the leaves can even destroy harmful radiations of radioactive elements. The leaves spread aromatic odour that is pungent and kill micro organisms like harmful bacteria and disease causing viruses present in the indoor air. The leaves absorb carbon mono oxide and carbon di oxide and keep the indoor cool. These herbs ward off infectious diseases spread by virus and bacteria. The aroma spread by the plants in the air prevents cold, cough, and respiratory ailments.  These plants are also easy to grow and tend.

Indoor air pollution can be tackled easily by growing certain specific plants indoor. These plants will not only remove impurities and chemicals from the air, but also maintain the proper proportion of oxygen in the indoor air. Cultivating indoor plants helps us to circulate oxygen into the entire living area. They also maintain the optimum room temperature in all seasons. We benefit good health by breathing clean and pure air. Our homes will become energy efficient.

Growing green plants indoors in pots will be a good initiative to cool the homes. This initiative will change our life style to a large extent. Indoor plants will not only cool the air around but also change the human temperament and behavior. Indoor plants can even replace electronic gadgets like air purifiers, air humidifiers, air conditioners and even electric fans. Further living amidst greenery will spur fertile imagination; improve creativity, good thoughts and other warm, friendly feelings. 

Indoor air pollution also contributes to outdoor air pollution. By controlling indoor air pollution with our green initiative we can prevent outdoor air pollution. Hence, we can fight and win Global warming. So, “green your indoors” and make “your life greener”.

Think Green! Grow green!!  Live Green!!!