Plants are truly incredible. They are responsible for sustaining all other forms of life on earth, and without them, we would starve of air and food. Tending to plants has been a popular pastime since the birth of humanity and remains so to this day.Most homes have not only an outside garden, but indoor plants on plant stands throughout the interior.
Clean Air Study
Primarily due to a study performed by NASA in the 1980s, plants are now widely believed to be able to “clean” the air around them. The handily named “Clean Air Study” focused on scrubbing the air of dangerous chemical compounds that build up in the unique confines of a space station. It turns out; some plants did a pretty good job of removing nasty volatile organic compounds (or VOCโs) from the air.
The study, published in 1989, deemed plants a valid way of removing carbon dioxide buildup and producing oxygen in the vacuum-sealed chamber of a spaceship, with some indoor plants named for their unique air cleaning abilities. Those plants growing in your plant pot stands at home appear to share some traits.
Natural Air Purifiers
Common indoor varieties of plants, like devil’s ivy and the snake plant, are claimed to be “natural air purifiers.” Many of these plants are tropical, shade-loving plants that are found below the canopies of large trees. Plants that have evolved to flourish in low light, high humidity conditions will have no problems sitting next to your bathroom window or on your kitchen bench.
Back on planet earth
Running out of breathable air is a problem in space, but does the threat exist here on earth? The VOCs mentioned above filtered out by some indoor plants exist right here on earth, and they are very common. The volatile nature of these compounds causes them to lift away from surfaces and objects in the form of vapor. Perfume is an excellent example of a harmless VOC, and most are safe to be exposed to.
Harmful VOCs like formaldehyde can be found in everyday objects like interior paint, and over time these can build up to a harmful level. This VOC buildup is a big problem in large buildings with many rooms like an apartment or office block. So, why isn’t every office room filled with plant stands brimming with air-purifying plants? Because we donโt live in the vacuum of space, a decent air circulation system will quickly take away these VOCs before they have time to build up. Opening a window is an effective way of flushing out a room of nasty vapors, the liberty you can’t take in the cold void of space.
A place for plants?
ย So according to NASA’s study, plants are ineffective at best in cleaning your air down here on earth. Due to the multitude of plant life on earth, we enjoy clean when we open a door or window. Unfortunately, adding a Boston fern to your study isn’t going to do much to improve air quality. It seems even a fake plant would do as much as a realm plant in real-world scenarios.
So should you still add plants to your home? Of course! Something is uplifting about being surrounded by life. Sustaining life is a joy in itself, asking not what your plants can do for you, but what you can do for your plants. Plants add a warm and natural vibe to any space and ever-popular with interior designers.
While plants will not purify the air of your home or office, they bring us closer to a worldthat gave birth to us as living things. They look attractive, and most indoor varieties require little in the way of care or maintenance. Bringing a plant into your space can literally bring it to life. They may not improve air quality, but they can certainly improve your mood.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
