Air pollution is no longer just a concern relegated to the outdoors. Polluted air is everywhere, even inside our homes. We can’t hide from it! You may not be aware of it but the pollutants are there.

Toxins that pollute the air we breathe in our homes emanate from ordinary household products to the synthetic materials that go into building and insulating our homes. The three most common toxins in our homes include benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene – also known as the big bad 3!

• Benzene commonly used in fuels, can be found in some household items like inks, oils, paints, plastics, tobacco smoke. Its effects can lead to skin and eye irritation, dizziness, weakness, and headaches.
• Formaldehyde, used as a preservative and curing agent can be found in pressed wood foam insulation, paper bags, waxed papers, facial tissues, carpet backing and cigarette smoke. Its effect can lead to respiratory problems, eye irritation, headaches and asthma.
• Trichloroethylene, mostly a commercial product for industrial use can be found in dry cleaners, printing inks, varnishes and adhesives. Its most dangerous effect on humans can lead to be a potent carcinogenicity to the liver.

While more research needs to be done, NASA researches have found that the best combatant to the big 3 toxins are common household plants.

Since we spend a good portion of our lives in our homes it might be important that we not only make it comfortable but healthy as well.  So if you want to breathe cleaner air in your home, start adding some plants in and around your house.   

NASA’S TOP 50 Air-Freshening Plants

The Overall Rating in the table below, is a grading based on the plant’s total performance -  purifying the air , ease of maintainance, resistance to pests and transpiration rate (How much water is released into the air – humidity is good for us too)

The toxin removal rating is a measure of the plants ability to remove impurities from the air. The figures below were collected by measuring the removal of formaldehyde (measured in micrograms per hour), a common pollutant in homes, given off by paints, glues and fabrics.

Saw this post on BrandWeek.com. Floral retailer Teleflora will be going prime time during the Super Bowl.  Commercial spots are lengendary during the Super Bowl for not only raising brand awareness but for their entertainment value. The best commercials tend to have the greatest impact for a brands bottom line. I can’t wait to hear the response of  viewers on this. 

By Becky Ebenkamp

Hoping to remind male viewers that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, Teleflora will run its first ever Super Bowl ad during the 2009 game. Florists, in general, have shied away from the championship game for the past two decades. FTD, was the last floral company to buy into the big game with spots featuring NFL Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.

Teleflora is taking a decidedly different tack. Its spot, which is reminiscent of office sitcoms, shows a man giving a box of flowers to a mousy female coworker. Soon, the flowers start insulting her. In the unfinalized commercial the flowers said: “Have you ever considered rhinoplasty?”

“Don’t send flowers in a box,” the ad warns. “You don’t know what they’ll say.” The commercial, which will run in the game’s second quarter, is tagged with “The Teleflora Difference.” It directs viewers to Teleflora.com.

Lynda Resnick, owner of Teleflora parent company Roll International, said, “Sixty percent of the flowers today are delivered in a box. Our flowers are hand-designed and hand-delivered right to your doorstep. That’s the difference.”

Resnick likened the indignity of a woman having to arrange her own Valentine’s Day bouquet to having to cook her own romantic dinner. The spot will tout its Rubies & Roses Bouquet in a keepsake vase.

Florists have taken a hit because so many wire services sell impersonal boxed flowers direct to the consumer, according to Resnick, who also runs Pom Wonderful and Fiji Water. “It’s taken about half a billion out of the floral industry, and that’s a lot in a $6 billion or $7 billion industry. Our motto is to support the local florist.”

Flowers generally have a positive effect on us. If you have ever given or recieved flowers from someone the first response is usually a smile or an expression of appreciation. That’s why we buy flowers to celebrate all types of occassions – we want the recipient to feel good.

Researches from Rutgers University have discovered flowers also can have at lasting effect on us and can change our moods in a healthy and natural way. You can read the study here. They have also discovered that flowers can help senior citizens cope with the challenges of aging.  (Better make a note, Grandparents Day September 13th.) 

The researchers have laid the scientifc foundation for what many of us already know. If this is news to you then you should look into this further – especially if you are looking to stay upbeat and positive. 

With the New Year finally hear many of us are looking to improve our attitude, lose weight, quit smoking, start a business or make some kind of commitment to living better.  Whether you send flowers to someone or incorporate them into your living spaces you know they can only do good.

What do you think about the study?