Toxic chemicals are hiding in your house dust
Photos: Healthy houseplants
According to a study by chemistry professor Vadoud Niri and his team at State University of New York at Oswego, houseplants are a good way to absorb volatile chemical compounds in the air. These compounds, commonly found in paints, furniture, printers, cleaning supplies and even dry-cleaned clothes, can have adverse health effects. Some plants are more effective in absorbing certain chemicals than others; crassula argentea (jade plant) is very good at absorbing toluene, emitted by cars, gasoline, kerosene, heating oil, paints and lacquers.
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Photos: Healthy houseplants
Spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum, a kind of spider plant, can take up more than 90% of o-Xylene, found in fuels, and p-Xylene, found in plastic and rubber products. Smokers may also want to keep this plant around: Over a few days, it can absorb 90% of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, ingredients of cigarette smoke.
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