During the 252nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, researchers presented findings how certain types of houseplants are effective at removing indoor air pollutants.

During their research, they took five different species of houseplants and exposed them to eight common VOCs over several hours in a sealed chamber. For those who don’t know VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. Common VOCs such as acetone, benzene, and formaldehyde can be found in furniture, paint, cleaning supplies, printers, & dry-cleaned clothes; all of which are hazardous to our health! Inhaling these can cause a flare in allergies, asthma, and dizziness and in serious cases, can cause cancer and damage to the central nervous system. Traditionally, expensive filters have been used to purify the air in a home, office, or business, but now plants could serve as an inexpensive alternative!

Out of the five plants tested, bromeliads performed the best overall, removing 80% of six out of the eight VOCs utilized. This is great for businesses trying to cut down on energy costs. Not only are plants ecofriendly, but they also add elegance to any office or business!

To find out more about adding plants to your home, office, or business, visit our website, or give us a call today! We offer free estimates!