Cleaning the Air in Your Home
With pollution being an ever-present issue in modern times, most people probably assume they are safer when indoors. On average, most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. However, most homes have air pollution two to five times greater than the air outside. But don’ t despair— by making small and simple changes around your home, the air quality can dramatically improve.
Three Deadly Pollutants Three deadly pollutants have the potential to harm your family’ s health the most. They are carbon monoxide, secondhand smoke, and radon gas. Combat the first by installing a carbon monoxide detector to alert you if gas is present. As for secondhand smoke, the Surgeon General states that no amount of secondhand smoke is safe. Ask smokers to take it outside to keep the air in your home clean. Finally, your home may be harboring a silent killer. Radon gas is the leading cause of death among nonsmokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer. Odorless, invisible, and naturally occurring, radon testing is the only way to catch this deadly gas.
Using the Green Approach The following five plants will help naturally purify the air in your home. Each is NASA-certified as plants that can remove harmful compounds from the air.
1. Peace Lily – Possesses the ability to improve air quality indoors by 60 percent. It also helps keep shower curtains and tiles free from mildew, and can absorb the vapors from alcohol and acetone.
2. Eucalyptus – The leaves are filled with tannins that can raise healthy fluids in the body’ s air passages. Breathing the scent of this plant promotes feelings of clear breathing. dōTERRA Eucalyptus oil comes from eucalyptus leaves. The oil’ s ability to promote feelings of clear breathing and relaxation are two of the main reasons eucalyptus makes a great houseplant.
3. English Ivy – This is the perfect plant for pet-lovers and office workers alike. It has the ability to clean the air of airborne fecal matter and benzene, a chemical commonly found in office equipment that makes focusing difficult.
4. Boston Fern – Great for anyone who suffers from occasional dry skin. This plant acts as a natural humidifier. It helps restore moisture to the air, especially in the cold winter months. It also removes traces of formaldehyde, commonly found in surface cleaners.
5. Spider Plant – Do not let its name fool you, this plant is anything but creepy. Within two days the spider plant can remove almost 90 percent of toxins in your home. It gets rid of harmful substances like mold and dust allergens, but its real power is the ability to absorb formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
16 / SPRING 2018 LIVING MAGAZINE