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Plants add beauty to indoor settings in our Perhaps one of the most surprising
homes, offices, and classrooms. Most peo- sources of indoor air pollution is electronic
ple would agree that having plants nearby devices. Personal computers, computer
while working or studying makes the monitors, and televisions emit many of the
experience more pleasant and the sur- same chemicals that were found in SKY-
roundings more enjoyable. However, LAB, including benzene, dodecane, and
NASA research scientists have found that many other “enes” and “anes,” along with
plants do more than just look good. They substances like formaldehyde.
can actually clean indoor air, making our Once these volatile organic chemicals
interior breathing spaces healthier. were found in our breathing spaces, scien-
NASA researchers working on the tists in the medical field conducted addi-
SKYLAB project in 1973 discovered 107 tional studies to determine if there were
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the related human health issues. Numerous
space laboratory air. The VOCs were at studies demonstrated that many common
levels harmful to humans. Some of the illnesses and diseases could be linked to
chemicals they found included acetone, indoor air pollution (Table 2).
toluene, xylene, benzene, ethyl acetate,
and naphthalene. Following these find- Table 2. Health Problems Associated
ings, the U.S. Environmental Protection with Indoor Air Pollution
Agency discovered 900 VOCs contaminat-
Allergies Eye, nose, and throat irritations
ing the air of offices, hospitals, nursing Asthma Sinus congestion
homes, and schools. Some of these 900 Fatigue Nervous system disorders
included benzene, formaldehyde, and pes- Headache Respiratory congestion
ticides. These studies raised our under- Cancer Parkinson’s disease
standing of indoor air pollution.
In 1997, retired NASA research scien- Resolving the problem of indoor air
tist Dr. B.C. Wolverton wrote a book called pollution is a subject of much interest to
“How to Grow Fresh Air” to share his NASA scientists and health professionals.
clean-air discoveries. In his book, Some might say, “Just open the windows
Wolverton listed common sources of and get some fresh air!” Ventilation might
VOCs that cause indoor air pollution work in a country home, but never in
(Table 1). outer space! Often, it’s not possible to
open the windows where we work and
Table 1. Common Sources of learn or even at home, especially during
Chemical Emissions inclement weather. Neither can common
air filters do an adequate job of removing
Adhesives Fabrics
Bioeffluents Gas stoves sources of indoor air pollution.
Carpeting Paints, stains, varnishes NASA research scientists eventually
Ceiling tiles Permanent press clothing obtained excellent results by using plants
Cleaning products Plywood or particle board to remove harmful volatile chemicals from
Cosmetics Tobacco smoke indoor air. In his book, Wolverton names
Draperies Upholstery
50 plants that were found to remove
Electronic devices Wall coverings
harmful chemicals. Table 3 lists some of
Wolverton, B.C. “How to Grow Fresh Air,” Penguin, New those plants.
York, 1997
Table 3. Partial List of Plants Shown to Reduce
Indoor Air Pollution
Areca Palm Dypsis lutescens
Corn Plant Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’
Dwarf Banana Musa acuminata
English Ivy Hedera helix
Golden Pothos Epipremnum aureum
Heart-Leaf Philodendron Philodendron scandens subsp. oxycardium
Janet Craig Dracaena Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’
Lady Palm Rhapis excelsa
Peace Lily Spathiphyllum spp.
Rubber Plant Ficus elastica
Schefflera Schefflera actinophylla
Snake Plant Sansevieria trifasciata
Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum
Source: Wolverton, B.C. “How to Grow Fresh Air,” Penguin, New York, 1997
Burkhard, C. “Chemical emissions from office equip- Steffen, C. “Benzene linked to childhood leukemia.”
ment,” IVF Research Publication 99826, 1999. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 61:
773-778, 2004.
Corsi, R. and J. Gabbs. “VOC emissions from pack-
aged and active computers,” Poster, Annual Meeting Weisel, C.P. “Assessing exposure to air toxics relative
of the International Society for Exposure Analysis to asthma.” Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol.
2000, Monterey, CA, 2000. 110, No. 4, Aug. 2002.
Daniels, J.L., et al. “Neuroblastoma linked to homes Wensing, M. “Determination of organic chemical emis-
treated with pesticides.” Epidemiology 12(1): 20-26, sions from electronic devices.” Raw, G., Aizlewood, C.,
January 2001. and Warren, O. (Eds). Proceedings of the 8th Intl.
Conf. on Indoor Air and Climate, Edinburg, U.K., Vol.
Pezzoli, G. “Hydrocarbon exposure and Parkinson’s 5, pp. 87-92, 1999.
disease.” Neurology, Vol. 55: 667-673, Sept. 2000.
Copyright 2010 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed
without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University
Extension Service.
Revised by Dr. Lelia Kelly, Associate Extension Professor, North Mississippi Research and Extension Center,
from an earlier edition by Dr. Kerry Johnson, retired Area Horticulture Extension Agent.
Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status is a violation of fed-
eral and state law and MSU policy and will not be tolerated. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation or group affilia-
tion is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated.
Publication 2527
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in
furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. JOE E. STREET, Interim Director (POD-11-10)