Your body requires oxygen, not just to help you breathe but also to promote cellular respiration to convert stored energy into fuel for normal metabolism. Ironically, many homes and commercial buildings designed to be energy efficient also trap indoor pollutants, such as chemicals that outgas from carpeting, furniture and construction materials. According to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), certain houseplants improve indoor air quality by absorbing environmental toxins and increasing oxygen levels.
Photosynthesis
Plants manufacture food from sunlight in a process known as photosynthesis. As part of this process, plants pull carbon dioxide from the air and convert it to oxygen, releasing the latter into the atmosphere. NASA has identified 19 species of plants that do the job most efficiently, many of which are common houseplants. As an added bonus, these plants capture toxins from indoor air and metabolize them for storage or convert and release them as harmless byproducts. The elimination of carbon dioxide and increased production of oxygen also contributes to reduced toxin levels.
Tropical Houseplants
Most of the indoor plants on NASA’s list are tropical or semi-tropical. Because these plants originate from the forest floor where they receive sunlight scattered through the leaves and branches of trees towering above, their leaves have evolved to efficiently exchange gases in the air under low light conditions. Bromeliads, for example, appear to undergo photosynthesis and discharge oxygen while absorbing mercury from the atmosphere at the same time.
Specific Plants
Ferns, particularly the Japanese royal fern (Osmunda japonica), not only release oxygen into the air but also absorb formaldehyde. The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is noted for adding oxygen and humidity to indoor air. Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) will purify and boost the oxygen level of the air of your home while you sleep at night, making this plant a smart choice for bedrooms. Other indoor plants considered highly efficient in oxygen production and air purification include heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens), snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) and golden pothos (Epipiremnum aureum).
Distribution
NASA studies indicate that 15 to 18 plants in 6- to 8-inch-diameter pots will sufficiently improve the air in an 1,800-square-foot residential home. This translates to approximately one large potted plant or two smaller potted plants about every 100 square feet.
Original article and pictures take homeguides.sfgate.com site
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