Plants and Your Health
Improving Room Climate, Air Quality & Productivity
Urban Jungle offers many plants that not only humidify the air and give a sense of freshness to the enviromnent, but actually clean the air of harmful indoor chemical pollutants.
| Plant Name | Particular Merits |
| Aglaonema | Reduces benzol |
| Aloe barbadensis | Reduces formaldehyde |
| Chamaedorea | Reduces formaldehyde and TCE |
| Dracaena | Reduces formaldehyde, benzol, TCE |
| Ficas benjamina | Reduces TCE |
| Philodendron | Reduces formaldehyde |
| Sanseveria trifasciata | Reduces benzol and TCE |
| Spathiphylum | Reduces benzol and TCE |
Most
other plants, including Schefflera, most all palms, and Ficas elastica
(rubber plants), create beneficial humidity in the air inside offices
and homes. This leads to fewer dermatological and breathing problems
and overall better health. More employees are at work more of the time.
THREE OF THE MAJR OFFENDERS
Benzol, found in most solvents.
(Also known as benzene, benzol, bicarburet of hydrogen, coal naptha, phenyl hydride, motor benzol and many other names.) The Senate Dept. of Urban Development in Germany states this aromatic hydrocarbon is especially hazardous to health. Has been shown to cause bone marrow damage, leukemia, and lymphone. Micael McCann, PhD, states in his 1994 article, that benzol causes chronic poisoning from the cumulative effect of exposure to even small amounts. Its effects are destruction of bone marrow, leading to a loss of red and while blood cells (and sometimes leukemia).
Formaldehyde, found in building materials, permanent press
qualities in clothing, glues & adhesives, pressed wood products
like particle boards, but most highly in fiberboard used in cabinets
and furniture.
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification is that it is "reasonaby anticipated to be a human carcinogen. Other health effects include eye, nose, and skin irritation, exacerbation of asthma symptoms, lung damage, membranous nephropathy, and liver toxicity." (Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor). Additionally, the National Cancer Institute states it causes cancer of nasal sinuses, nasopharynx and brain, and leukemia.
TCE (trichloroethylene), found in solvents to remove grease from metal parts, and is an ingredient in adhesives, paint removers, typewriter correction fluids, spot removers.
According to the Dept. of Health & Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, breathing small amounts of TCE causes headaches, lung irritation, dizziness, poor coordination, lessened concentration. Breathing larger amounts causes impaired heart function, unconsciousness, and death. Long term exposure causes nerve, kidney and lung damage. TCE has been found in water sources due to improper disposal, and there are additional issues with drinking this water.