Ah! It feels so good to be home!
After a long day at work, it is such a pleasure to finally kick off your heels and relax a bit.
Grabbing a bite to eat, catching up on mail or spending a little on hobbies–life can seem so sweet.
But, while you’re innocently lounging on the couch reading a juicy novel, watching your favorite
TV show, polishing your nails, doodling with markers or scrapbooking–you may think you are
safe, but you are not!
Hundreds of unwanted invaders are lurking in your indoor air environment.
You can’t see–or even smell them–in most cases, but they are defiinitely there–invisible yet
potentially harmful chemicals from our products, materials and furnishings.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, organic chemicals are commonly found in
a variety of products and furnishings which emit chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands including paints and lacquers,
cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and
printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and
adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products.
Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic,
degreaser and hobby supplies.
VOCs are also found in paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays;
cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive
products; and dry-cleaned clothing.
Fuels are also made up of organic chemicals.
Yikes!
They’re in practically everything we use and live with each day!
All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some
degree, when they are stored.
Common VOCs include formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene, benzene and trichloroethylene–just to
name a few.
These VOCs are the leading cause of sick building syndrome, a health threat that leads to headaches,
skin irritations, hypersensitivity and more.
According to the EPA, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including
level of exposure and length of time exposed.
Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are
among the symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics.
As you see, VOCs can be found in all kinds of buildings and environments–not just your home.
House Plants to the Rescue
I have always loved house plants for the beautiful atmosphere they create in an environment, but
did you also know that indoor plants are not only great decor, but they can significantly improve the
air we breathe?
In addition to disposing of unneeded household chemicals, filling your home with air-filtering plants
helps aid in the creation of fresh air.
In fact, there are dozens of plants that freshen our space and combat common indoor chemicals, but some
plants do so better than others.
ProFlowers decided to uncover which indoor plants make your home the healthiest by comparing scientific
studies from NASA.
The results are illustrated in their handy infographic below.
It also includes vital information on what these indoor air chemicals are and why it’s important for your health
to avoid them.
See the full guide below or here.
What are your favorite air filtering house plants?
Share your thoughts and comments with us?
Thanks for sharing these information.Really helpful.The photos are lovely….