Breathe Green

Breathe Green: In the late 80s NASA co-conducted a two year study titled

INTERIOR LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR INDOOR AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT.

The full study link here: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930073077_1993073077.pdf

The study was born out of data collected by the World Health Organization that estimated approximately 30 percent of all new or remodeled buildings have varying degrees of indoor air pollution. This phenomenon is named "sick building syndrome."

NASA interest in this research was born some sixteen years earlier when scientist identified indoor air pollution problems associated with sealed space habitats. Knowing that humans would someday be living in Space, NASA had a vested interest in identifying how to create an environment that would be less toxic and support life beyond Planet Earth.

For Earthlings the study produced research data that can be applied to how we can live and work and suggests that “If human move into closed environments, on Earth or in Space, we must take along nature's life support system.” The study is based on a simple thesis we all remember learning in Science Class that Plants “breathe” by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Around the planet Elementary School Children of the 21^st Century understand why rain forests are so important in maintaining the delicate balance of the earth’s atmosphere. So how can humans whether in Space or closed environments like offices or apartment building? Well NASA used tropical plants in the experiment and the research showed that these types of plants are particularly effective at processing gases and chemicals. Tropical plants have geneses in dense rain-forests with very little light and as such the evolved to be very efficient at photosynthesis, which includes the absorption of gases from the air. NASA found that the plants with a soil with an activated carbon component created a secondary effect that as plants transpire (emit water from the leaves), air is drawn down around the roots, where root microbes quickly adapt and begin “eating” the harmful chemicals that are absorbed. The plants used in the experiment have been generally accepted as reducing toxic chemicals in indoor environments. Result - clean air naturally!

Three (3) common houseplants Areca Palm, Pathos Plant and the Snake Plant (seen in the photo above L-R) can be found at No Ka Oi Nursery in Hanapepe and can be used use indoors to promote a cleaner environment at work or at home.

A home or office building is not the same as a research lab but having plenty of healthy interior plants leads to a healthier environment and is much nicer than artificial air fresheners!