In this year of hot temperatures, it’s difficult for us to even open the windows, preventing a proper exchange of clean air in our homes. In order not to let the heat in, however, we do not realize that we are breathing in all the harmful substances that we use in the kitchen or for the hygiene of the rooms: gas, deodorants, detergents, chemicals …
And the levels of carbon monoxide and other health-damaging substances recorded in an apartment in the city center can be up to three times higher than those of the outside environment.
Clean air thanks to plants
But there is a solution to re-oxygenate the air in our homes: plants.
In particular, three common houseplants are true champions in converting CO2 into oxygen and removing harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, from the air.
Kamal Meattle, an Indian researcher and environmental activist who has experienced the benefits of this type of cultivation in a highly polluted city like New Delhi, explains it in this video.
Meattle explains:
“About 17 years ago, I became allergic to Delhi’s air. Doctors said my lung capacity had dropped to 70%, and it was killing me. With the help of IIT, TERI, and NASA studies, we have discovered that there are three simple green plants, common green plants, with which we can grow all the pure air we need indoors to stay healthy. We have also found that the need for air circulation in a building can be reduced while maintaining industry standards for indoor air quality.”
The 3 plants to grow
The three most suitable plants for re-oxygenating the air in our homes are:
- Areca palm: is a plant that removes CO2 and converts it into oxygen. You need 4 plants of about 150 cm for each inhabitant of the house and you must remember to clean the leaves every week, or even every day in the city with more polluted air or in poorly ventilated environments.
- Sansevieria: it is one of the few plants that can also be used in the bedroom, since, unlike many others, it converts CO2 into oxygen at night. Of this species, 6 to 8 plants 1 meter tall each are needed.
- Epipremnum: This plant even removes formaldehyde and other volatile chemicals.
Meattle continues:
“With these three plants, you can grow all the pure air you need. In fact, you could be in a sealed bottle and you wouldn’t die and you wouldn’t need clean air. We tried these plants in our palace in Delhi which is a 4600 square meter palace which is 20 years old. And it has about 1200 of these plants for 300 occupants. Our studies have shown that there is a 42% chance that the oxygen in the blood of those who stay in this building for 10 hours will increase by one percent. […] Compared to other buildings, the incidence of eye irritation is reduced by 52%, that of respiratory system irritation by 34%, that of headache by 24%, that of pulmonary insufficiency by 12% and asthma 9%. […]
Our experience indicates an incredible increase in people’s productivity: over 20%, thanks to these plants. In addition, the energy needs of buildings are reduced by a considerable 15%, as less air is needed. We are now doing the same in a 160,000 square meter building, which will contain 60,000 plants.”
And, thanks to the progressive adoption of smart working, we add, perhaps the time has come to re-evaluate the quality of the air starting from our homes.
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