| Purifying indoor air - naturally |
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Plants are nature's air filters. To naturally purify the air in your home or office, place potted plants in those areas where you spend a lot of time. Good plants to use include bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii), rubber plant (Ficus robusta), boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata "Bostoniensis") and peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)
A common indoor air pollutant is formaldehyde, which may be assiciated with eye, throat and respiratory tract irritation, asthma, fatigue and possibly, cancer. It is released from common household products including adhesives, paints, varnishes and stains, upholstery, treated fabrics, floor coverings and particle board. Work by Dr Bill Wolverton has found that boston fern is particularly effective in removing this contaminant from indoor air. Details of Dr Wolverton's work can be found in his book, "Growing Fresh Air", published by Penguin Books, New York, 1996.
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