| Increasing pollution levels in the air have prompted | | | | It is not just the production of oxygen that |
| more and more people to invest in air purifiers. | | | | makes plants so important. They can also be |
| These appliances remove impurities from the air | | | | used to actually filter out impurities from the air. |
| using several modern technologies. HEPA filters, | | | | A series of tests conducted by scientists at the |
| ozone purifiers and ionic devices are some of the | | | | National Aeronautical and Space Administration |
| common forms of air purifiers available today. | | | | (NASA) determined that several houseplants could |
| Although most people run to an electronic store | | | | effectively eliminate various pollutants and volatile |
| or online shopping site to get themselves an air | | | | organic chemicals from the air. The foliage was |
| purifier, many don't realize that a cheaper and | | | | effective against low levels of pollution, whereas |
| more eco-friendly alternative is easily available. | | | | the plant roots along with an activated carbon |
| Plants, and more specifically houseplants, are | | | | filter, could remove air pollutants at higher |
| some of the best air filters in the world. These | | | | concentration. Plants also prove effective against |
| living air purifiers have been used over several | | | | harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, |
| centuries to maintain the right balance of fresh air. | | | | formaldehyde and benzene, which can cause |
| It is a commonly known fact that all green plants | | | | severe illnesses, including cancer. |
| absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere | | | | Chrysanthemum, spider plant, Areca palm, ivies, |
| during photosynthesis and release oxygen in | | | | and ferns are some of the common plants |
| return. During photosynthesis, other harmful | | | | effective against air pollutants. These living air |
| chemicals such as ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulfur | | | | purifiers are not only cheaper and easier to |
| dioxides and ozone, which contribute to the | | | | maintain but also lack the drawbacks of ozone |
| greenhouse effect, are also removed. Oxygen is | | | | emission and filter changes required by many |
| the most important, life sustaining gas on the | | | | artificial air purifiers. The plants also lend an |
| planet, and hence the importance of plants cannot | | | | aesthetic quality to any living space. |
| be ruled out. | | | | |