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.