A few indoor plants that can combat air pollution

Air pollution is a major problem in metros and Delhi is currently witnessing its worst smog in 17 years. The hazardous level of air pollution has put the health of residents at risk from a number of respiratory diseases, including asthma.
While the authorities are trying to reduce the level of air pollution and people are wearing masks when out on the streets, the air quality inside the house can be reduce by planting indoor plants instead of buying air purifiers or protective face masks. The air quality inside the house can be controlled and the air can be rid of pollution in a cheap cheap method by employing the green technique – planting trees.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 5 November 2016.
A few of such plants are -
Flamingo lily - this is one of the plants listed in the NASA Clean Air Study and is effective in removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and ammonia from the air.

Spider plant - this is native to Africa and is effective in removing pollutants. A study by NASA has discovered that the spider plant not only released oxygen and removed carbon dioxide in relatively low levels of light, but it can trap and absorb many harmful toxins from the air.

English ivy - this is an invasive species that provides a natural way of removing toxic agents like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air. It also helps to neutralize the effects of sick building syndrome.

Areca palm - this is also known as bamboo palm, golden cane palm, yellow palm,or butterfly palm and is a species of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family. As per NASA it can filter indoor air pollutants such as xylene and toluene. It can grow to a height of nearly 5 ft 11 in and has the ability to transpire 1 liter of water per 24 hours. Thus, it is a natural and effective humidifier.

Boston fern - these are highly effective in removing indoor air pollutants, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene. Nephrolepis exaltata is a very popular house plant, often grown in hanging baskets or similar conditions.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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Air pollution took 1.4-million lives in India during 2013

World Bank has disclosed that India has the distinction of being the country with the second highest number of deaths due to air pollution in 2013. With 1.4-million deaths during 2013, India is next only to China which is the world's most populous country and it lost 1.6 million lives.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 9 September 2016.

According to the report that has been released by the World Bank and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, premature deaths due to air pollution has cost the global economy $5.1 trillion annually. The report also highlights the fact that in 2013, premature deaths alone cost the global economy about $225 billion in lost work days. These have adversely affected the economic development of the countries, especially in the growing economies in Asia. In 2013, for which global data is available, China lost nearly 10% of its GDP, while India over 7%, Sri Lanka and Cambodia roughly 8%.
In 2013 about 93% of deaths and non-fatal illnesses attributed to air pollution worldwide had occurred in these countries, where 90% of the population was exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution. This factor is a major environmental health risk and increases one's chance of contracting diseases like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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