Book: How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office

1 rating since posting on Saturday, May 31, 2008
in California
website
(submitted by Toxic )

Overall Rating

*****

based on 1 rating
Rate It
Advertisement
Advertisement
Toxic
Toxic
offline 71
*****
Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office - plus other toxic & bioweapons info
Please note the "fair use statement" after the article, with
regard to copyright laws. Notes are given in the article and
after the fair use statement -

The Toxic Reverend
www.myspace.com/toxicreverend
An Environmental Technologist
toxicreverend.blogspot.com/
___________________________________________________


Using Nature to Root Out Indoor Pollution;

Health: With the right care, common houseplants can be
efficient filters of toxic chemicals. The downside is mold
from moist soil, but there are remedies.;
[Orange County Edition]
JULIE BAWDEN DAVIS.
Los Angeles Times. www.latimes.com
Los Angeles, Calif.: Feb 21, 1998. pg. 1
Abstract (Summary)

Wolverton worked almost 20 years for NASA developing technology that
would allow humans to live in a closed environment on the moon or Mars.
Through this pioneering research, he discovered that houseplants are the
quickest and most effective filters of common, dangerous air pollutants.
Those pollutants include formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and ammonia.
All cause a number of ailments, such as asthma and allergies, and the
broader illness now recognized as sick building syndrome.

Wolverton and his colleagues have placed houseplants in sealed chambers
and exposed them to hundreds of chemicals. "We've found that plants suck
these chemicals out of the air," he says. "After some study, we've unraveled
the mystery of how plants can act as the lungs and kidney of buildings."

Plants clean indoor air in two ways. They absorb pollutants into their
leaves and transmit the toxins to their roots, where they are transformed
into a source of food for the plant. And they emit water vapors that create
a pumping action to pull dirty air down around the roots, where it is once
again converted into food for the plant.
Full Text (1863 words)

(Copyright, The Times Mirror Company; Los Angeles Times 1998 all
Rights reserved)

Imagine how indoor air pollution will be combated in the next century.
Are you envisioning elaborate, Space Age machinery controlling what is
now one of the top five public health threats? Chances are you're not
thinking of the most probable answer--that nature will provide the cure.

The simple answer to improving indoor air quality? Houseplants, says
Bill Wolverton, author of
"How to Grow Fresh Air:
50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office" (Penguin, 1997, $16).

Wolverton worked almost 20 years for NASA developing technology that
would allow humans to live in a closed environment on the moon or Mars.
Through this pioneering research, he discovered that houseplants are the
quickest and most effective filters of common, dangerous air pollutants.
Those pollutants include formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and ammonia.
All cause a number of ailments, such as asthma and allergies, and the
broader illness now recognized as sick building syndrome.

Wolverton and his colleagues have placed houseplants in sealed chambers
and exposed them to hundreds of chemicals. "We've found that plants suck
these chemicals out of the air," he says. "After some study, we've unraveled
the mystery of how plants can act as the lungs and kidney of buildings."

Plants clean indoor air in two ways. They absorb pollutants into their leaves
and transmit the toxins to their roots, where they are transformed into a
source of food for the plant. And they emit water vapors that create a
pumping action to pull dirty air down around the roots, where it is once
again converted into food for the plant.

"Plants decrease gaseous air pollutants, such as ammonia in the air," says
Bob Phalen, director of the Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory at
UC Irvine. "The downside to this, however, is that moisture in the soil and
around pots can lead to mold, and some plants emit allergens and pollen,
which can be catastrophic for people with respiratory problems."

According to Wolverton, it's talk of mold that has limited the use of plants
as air cleaners.

"It's not plants that give off mold and mildew spores, but the soil. Plants
actually reduce molds and mildews in the air," he says. "Research shows
that plant-filled rooms contain 50% to 60% fewer airborne molds and
bacteria than rooms without plants."

Wolverton and his co-researchers developed a solution to the mold issue.

"We've created soil-free pebbles that can be used to grow plants in water
and eliminate the threat of mold," he says.

These pebbles will be available in several months, but until then, he suggests
people sensitive to mold cover the top of the soil with gravel, which will dry
soon after watering.

He is also introducing plant pot systems that contain activated carbon filters,
fans and lights that he says can triple a plant's air cleaning ability.

____________________________________________________________
Note from the Toxic Reverend;

Important: Google search terms;

"mold asthma"
and another search on
"mold mycoplasma"
and
"mycoplasma biological weapon"

Also see www.immed.org for peer reviewed
medical journals on "Incapacitating Agents", a
type of "non-lethal biological weapon.
Plus www.gulfwarvets and www.sunshine-project.org/

Important: Google search terms;
"mold mycoplasma"
and "mycoplasma biological weapon"

Also see www.immed.org for peer reviewed
medical journals on "Incapacitating Agents", a
type of "non-lethal biological weapon.
Plus www.gulfwarvets and www.sunshine-project.org/

Rnd of note from the Toxic Reverend

____________________________________________________________

Plants are especially needed in office buildings where sick building syndrome
is common, because of the toxins given off by office machinery and
pressboard furniture.

For this reason, Wolverton suggests that everyone have a plant on his or her
desk, within what he calls the "personal breathing zone." This is an area of
6 to 8 cubic feet where you spend several hours on a regular basis.

In the home, this space is near your bed.

"The closer the plant is to you, the better," Wolverton says. "Even in large,
open rooms, a plant within your personal breathing zone really improves
the air you breathe."



Florist Pat Gosnell of Regal Flowers in Orange knows from experience that
plants clean the air.

"We've got a lot of houseplants in the front of the store, and customers
always remark on how fresh the air is when they walk in," Gosnell says.

"I like to tell customers that when they're sleeping their plants are working,
taking all the dirty toxins and carbon dioxide out of the air they're breathing
and recycling it into pure oxygen," she says.

Many common houseplants clean indoor air. Bamboo palm, rubber plant
and draceana 'Janet Craig' are large choices. Peace lily, golden pothos and
Boston fern are good smaller choices.

Outdoor plants, including mums, azaleas, gerbera daisy, cyclamen and
tulips, brought in for a short time also clean the air.

Some plants specialize. Boston fern, for instance, removes formaldehyde,
and the peace lily removes acetone.

Plants need to be clean and in good health, says Steve Kawaratani, owner
of Laguna Nursery in Laguna.

To clean plant leaves, he suggests using a damp rag and not applying any
oils or waxes, which can cause the plant to sunburn.

The most important key to a plant's survival indoors is correct lighting,
says Kawaratani, who suggests the shadow test to determine how much
light you have in a room.

The best light for most houseplants is diffused light, which casts a shadow
on a nearby wall but is not strong enough to heat your hand. If the shadow
is very weak, the plant must have a low-light requirement.

"If you stick your hand up in front of the window and it's hot on your hand,
then the sun's intensity is too high for most houseplants," Kawaratani says.
Place the plant farther away or use blinds to adjust the light.

Completely green plants are more tolerant of low light conditions.
Variegated or multicolored leaves require more light because they aren't
as efficient in their ability to photosynthesize.

Some houseplants also require high humidity, which can be created by
misting your plants on a regular basis or by putting each pot in a pebble
tray that is slightly filled with water. The bottom of the pot should touch
the pebbles, but not the water.



Grouping plants also increases humidity. Keep plants away from heating
and air-conditioning drafts, which quickly dry them out.

"Make sure your plants have well-draining containers," Kawaratani says.
"You can't let a plant sit in water without adverse consequences. As I tell
customers, try sticking your foot in a bucket for a week and see how it looks
when you finally take it out."

At the same time, don't let your plants dry out.

To see if a plant needs watering, pick it up. If it feels light, water it. For
large plants, stick your finger into it about half an inch. Water if the soil's
dry.

When watering, let the water wash through the plant or immerse each pot
in a bucket of water and let it drink until it stops bubbling. Whichever
means you use, thoroughly drain the plant before returning it to its location.

Inspect plants for pests regularly by checking the bottom of the leaves.
Periodically hose them off to wash off various pests. Do this outside, in
the morning or on a cloudy day.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

10 AIR CLEANERS Many common houseplants make great indoor air
cleaners. In his book, "How to Grow Fresh Air," former NASA scientist
Bill Wolverton identifies the top 50 plants for cleaning air. He rates them
on their ability to remove chemical vapors, their transpiration rate, how
easy they are to grow and how resistant they are to pests.

Some plants are better at filtering air and transpiring than others, but don't
let that discourage you, Wolverton says. If your favorite plant isn't too
efficient, put more of them in your house and office.

Following are 10 plants from his top 50 list. Give them low to medium light,
keep evenly moist and fertilize with a well-balanced fertilizer on a regular
basis. Pinch back to prevent legginess.
__________________________________________________________

Note from the Toxic Reverend

Toxic chemicals are being disposed of in some fertilizers. A book on that
subject also lists fertilizers and implicates some so called organic fertilizers
that are also being used to dispose of some toxic chemicals that plants can
extract. Including editable foods.
Book title:
Fateful Harvest, by Duff Wilson
A Mother Jones Magazine book review is posted on the net.

Magazine: MOTHER JONES; Sep/Oct2001, Vol. 26 Issue 5, p78, 2p.
Section: Media Jones book review, by SUSAN Q. STRANAHAN
A DIRTY SECRET - Fateful Harvest
www.motherjones.com/arts/books...ajones.html - 55k -

Rnd of note from the Toxic Reverend www.myspace.com/toxicreverend

___________________________________________________

Arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum): This is an easy-to-grow
vine-type plant with green-white or green-silver leaves that are long and
arrow-shaped when young. Mist frequently and keep pruned. It rarely has
pests, but watch for spider mites. Feed monthly with a well-balanced
fertilizer.

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii): This bamboo-like palm gives a
tropical look to your home. Eventually reaching 6 feet, it is easy to grow
and tolerates low to bright light conditions. When transplanting, use a
cactus mix, because this plant needs a well-draining soil. Allow soil to
approach dryness between waterings. Fertilize with a well-balanced fertilizer
every two or three months and keep an eye out for mealybugs, scale and
mites, which can be treated with horticultural oil.

Boston fern: This plant's stiff fronds arch out and then droop downward,
making it an excellent hanging plant. Make sure that it receives medium to
bright light at the top, or no new growth will appear. Keep plant constantly
moist, but not soggy, and feed every watering with a quarter-strength
fertilizer. Mist regularly and remove yellow fronds when they appear.

Draceana 'Janet Craig': This is one of the best plants for removing
trichloroethylene. It can reach 10 feet tall and makes a dramatic statement
in the home with its rosettes of broad, dark-green leaves and upright growth
habit. Provide bright to medium light, and water when the top inch of soil
is dry. Feed every two to three months with a well-balanced fertilizer.

English ivy (Hedera helix): This plant is not easy to grow indoors, but it's
often used in topiaries. Although it tolerates low to bright light, it is
susceptible to insects, especially spider mites and thrips. To prevent insect
infestation, provide with good air circulation and inspect the underside of
leaves on a weekly basis for pests. Mist regularly, especially when the air is
dry. Fertilize monthly with a half-strength solution and water when the
plant is approaching dryness.

Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii 'Alii'): With its slender green leaves and
upright tree-like growth habit, this plant brings the outdoors inside. It
is virtually pest-free and will tolerate medium to bright light. It should
be allowed to approach dryness between waterings. Fertilize with a
quarter- to third-strength fertilizer at each watering, since this plant is
a heavy feeder.

Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum): A vining plant with heart-shaped
leaves splashed with yellow or cream colors, this plant is extremely easy
to grow. It withstands neglect and is virtually pest-free.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.): This pretty plant, with its tropical white
flowers, excels in removing a number of toxins, including acetone, benzene,
formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. It is a reliable indoor bloomer and
grows well in low to medium light. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy and
fertilize with a 2-10-10 from spring to fall to stimulate flowering. Watch for
scale and spider mites.

Rubber plant (Ficus robusta): Especially good at removing formaldehyde,
this stately plant, with its large, round, rubbery leaves, can grow to 8 feet.
It is easy to grow and can thrive in low to bright light. Let it approach
dryness between waterings and feed with a time-released fertilizer.

Spider plant: This plant was given worldwide attention in 1984 when
NASA first released research showing its ability to clean the air. Usually
grown as a hanging-basket plant, it sends out thin, arching shoots with a
small white flower on the end. Provide it with medium to bright light and
water when approaching dryness. Feed with a time-released fertilizer and
check for scale.

PHOTO: Plants clean the air by drawing toxins to their roots.;
PHOTO: Outdoor plants such as azaleas, when brought inside for a short
time, also reduce pollutants.

Credit: SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Indexing (document details)
Author(s): JULIE BAWDEN DAVIS
Document types: List
Section: Home Design; PART-N; View Desk
Publication title:
Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Feb 21, 1998. pg. 1
Source type: Newspaper

Text Word Count 1863

____________________________________________________________

FAIR USE NOTICE:
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not
been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such
material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental,
political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice
issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted
material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. In
accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in
receiving the in cluded information for research and educational purposes.

Copyrights still apply. For permission to re-print:

Please submit your request for permission in writing.
Email address: reprint@latimes.com
Fax #: (213) 237-6515
Please include the following information:
The headline of the article and/or
caption of the photo or graphic
Date of publication
Writer's and/or photographer's name
Describe exactly how you'd like to repurpose the content.
That is, how many copies you'd like to distribute, to whom, for what
purpose, and in what format--print, electronic (please include URL or
number of email recipients), display use, etc.
Please allow one to two business days for a response from us.

If this is urgent, you may call us at (213) 237-4919.
LA Times Reprints provides you with simple,
efficient access to a vast array of content
____________________________________________________________

Assitional reading;
_______________

YOU'RE MUCH CLOSER TO SOURCES OF
INDOOR POLLUTION, EPA WARNS
"simple steps to minimize exposure"
75% of the Typical American's Exposure to Toxic
Chemical's Occurs Indoors Much of which occurs
in their own homes.
by MAX GATES., pub. Seattle Times.
Oct 2, 1989. pg. C.8
web.archive.org/web/200503...75perc.html

_______________


The 10 most dangerous toxins in your house,
Thursday, January 14, 1999 By Claude Morgan
(Claude Morgan is a freelance writer based in
Maine who contributes to E, the Environmental
Magazine.) Copyright 1997, The Los Angeles
Times Syndicate, All Rights Reserved This is
posted for educational and research purposes.
Copyright laws still apply.
www.angelfire.com/nm/redcol...com10.html
_______________

Blessings,

The Toxic Reverend
www.myspace.com/toxicreverend
An Environmental Technologist
toxicreverend.blogspot.com/ - Toxic , posted 05/31/08

Book: How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office was recommended for:

Share/Save/Bookmark
post to tribe
recommend or request

search local favorites

search

browse

Advertisement