We can take our own steps to reducing air pollution in our homes by utilizing houseplants to filter our air. Roughly 15 plants can purify almost an 1800 sq ft home! NASA tested for indoor purification of the air from chemicals benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde through the use of houseplants. All of these chemicals are typically found in either cleaning agents, paper towels or paints and plastics in the average home. All the plants tested were sealed in an experimental chamber during a 24 hr exposure period.

The top performers were as follows:

• Spathipyhlum (Peace Lily)
• Sanseveria (Snake Plant)
• Philodendrons (Golden Pothos)
• Dracaena's (Corn Plant, Dragon Tree, Janet Craig)
• Ferns (Boston)
• Chlorophytum (Spider Plant)
• Hedera Helix (English Ivy)
• Ficus Varieties ("Ali")
• Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)
• Chamaedorea seifrizii (Bamboo Palm)

Not only will houseplants help to keep your home's air healthy, there is more! Having a few houseplants in a room increases the humidity by 30-60%. Another positive benefit. Many of the top ten are easy to care for and commonly stocked in local garden centres. Ask about them soon. You'll find it's pretty easy to add a few to the rooms you spend the most time in like kitchens, bedrooms and computer rooms.