The PFC's mentioned in the this month's Newsletter, are commonly found in couch cushions, carpet pad or the liner on a blackout curtain.( a link to a list of household products that contain PFC's http://www.ewg.org/node/21787) They release the toxins into the air.The PFC's are also one of the irritants in environmental allergies which produce symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. But there are simple "helps" to antidote the fumes of household toxicity. NASA tested plants for their ability to remove 3 chemicals from the air: Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Trichloroethylene. These aren't the PFC's but everything we can do to help our bodies in this simple matter is a good thing. These chemicals are the ones guilty for the Sick Building Syndrome.
Nasa tested plants for air purification for use in the space station where fresh air is at a premium.NASA found that some of the plants were better than others for absorbing the common pollutants, but all of the plants had properties that were useful in improving overall indoor air quality. NASA also noted that some plants are better than others in treating certain chemicals. For example, English ivy, gerbera daisies, pot mums, peace lily, bamboo palm, and Mother-in-law's Tongue were found to be the best plants for treating air contaminated with Benzene (common solvent found in oils and paints on our walls). The peace lily, gerbera daisy, and bamboo palm were very effective in treating Trichloroethylene (paints, adhesives, inks, and varnishes).Additionally, NASA found that the bamboo palm, Mother-in-law's tongue, dracaena warneckei, peace lily, dracaena marginata, golden pathos, and green spider plant worked well for filtering Formaldehyde (particle board,foam rubber and foam insulations). After conducting the study, NASA came up with a list of the most effective plants for treating indoor air pollution.
This is the list of the recomended plants.
1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium', heartleaf philodendron
2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron
3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornstalk dracaena
4. Hedera helix, English ivy
5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena
7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena
8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos
10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa', peace lily
11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron
12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm
14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant
15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena
Hope this is as interesting and useful to you as it is to me.