CLEANER Air for the Home!

TOP 16 plants most effective in removing:
Formaldehyde, Benzene, TCE and Carbon Monoxide from the air.

Bamboo palm Chamaedorea seifritzii
Chinese evergreen Aglaonema modestum
English ivy Hedera helix
Gerbera daisy Gerbera jamesonii
Janet Craig Dracaena “Janet Craig”
Dracaena marginata Dracaena marginata
Corn plant Dracaena massangeana
Snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata
Pot mum Chrysanthemum
Peace lily Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”
Warneckii Dracaena “Warneckii”
Boston fern Nephrolepis exaltata
Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum
Golden pothos Epipiremnum aureum
Heart leaf philodendron Philodendron scandens
Weeping fig Ficus benjamina

Did you know that indoor air always has pollutants? Plant people are lucky because plants really help take out some of the bad things that are all around us in such a variety of products and situations. For instance.....

A NASA study found that plants help remove many toxic elements from the indoor environment.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a commercial product found in a wide variety of industrial uses. Over 90 percent of the TCE produced is used in the metal degreasing and dry cleaning industries. In addition, it is used in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives.

Benzene is a very commonly used solvent and is also present in many common items including gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics, and rubber. In addition it is used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyes.

Formaldehyde is a ubiquitous chemical found in virtually all-indoor environments. The major sources that have been reported and publicized include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and particleboard or pressed wood products used in manufacturing of the office furniture bought today. It is used in consumer paper products that have been treated with UF resins, including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels. Many common household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde. UF resins are used as stiffeners, wrinkle resisters, water repellents, fire retardants and adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backings and permanent-press clothes. Other sources of formaldehyde include heating and cooking fuels like natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette smoke.

See??? Here we have more reasons to add to the collection and grow a couple more plant varieties! Has anyone tried some new Sinningias lately?

Check out Bachman's bachmans.com for more information about this and a whole ton of indoor plant care information... they have an online sign-up that sends coupons out periodically too..... and who doesn't need a few bucks off sometimes? You can sign up for the e-club by looking at the lower left hand home page of Bachmans.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all.

The poll's are in.... out of the people responding to the last poll a majority of folks liked the cool white fluorescent bulbs better than warm white, specialty or other. The only other opinion expressed was the vote for Grow Lux bulbs.

Last month's AV magazine had a nice article on the differences in bulbs... anyone want a recap for the blog?