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Smart plants: detoxing the office

by Sara White

Do you work in a stuffy working environment? Do you want to make it healthier for your staff? The recently published How to Grow Fresh Air provides a useful introduction to choosing the right office plants to beat toxins.

Studies show that we spend 80 per cent of our lives indoors which means fresh indoor air is vital for good health. Creating a healthy working environment is one of those objectives which should be as important in the office as at home. One of the ways to combat sick building syndrome is to include plants in the office set-up. There are a surprising number that are effective at fighting the many chemical toxins permeating the average workplace.

A good starting point for any green-fingered office managers is the recently published How to Grow Fresh Air, an easy-to-use reference guide to growing and maintaining 50 houseplants to ensure you have clean, non-polluted air in your office.

Biosphere

Plants are the lungs of the earth: they produce the oxygen that makes life possible, add precious moisture and filter toxins.

Houseplants can perform these essential functions in your office or home with the same efficiency as a rainforest in our biosphere.

Based on 25 years of research and compiled by NASA biochemist, Dr Bill Wolverton, How to Grow Fresh Air is packed with tips and advice on how to create a healthy environment in the office. The basic premise is that by choosing the right plants you can start removing the common toxins, chemicals and pollutants released by furniture, carpets and building materials in offices (see Toxins box).

Each plant is rated according to its effectiveness at fighting specific toxins, chemicals and pollutants. There are also growing and maintenance tips to keep your plants healthy.

Peace Lily excels in the removal of alcohols, acetone, benzene and formaldehyde, and is easy to grow and maintain

Plant tips

With a selection of 50 of the most effective pot plants to choose in the fight to reduce office toxins, here is a selection of some of the most effective plants to buy for office and work environments. These are widely available and, on the whole, are some of the hardiest plants on the market.

Areca palm
This fast-growing palm has a cluster of cane-like stalks with feathery, yellow-green fronds. It releases copious amounts of moisture into the air and removes chemical toxins.

Bamboo palms
Resistant to insect infestation making them a popular choice for office interiors. They pump moisture into the indoor atmosphere, especially during winter months when the central heating dries the air. Top-rated plant for removal of benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde.

Dragon tree
An attractive and elegant member of the dracaenas family. It has smooth, straight grey canes topped with delicate, thin green leaves. An effective air cleaner, it is one of the best plants for removing xylene and trichloroethylene.

Peace lily
An excellent all-round indoor plant - it excels in the removal of alcohols, acetone, benzene and formaldehyde, reliably blooms indoors, and is easy to grow and maintain.

Dracaena Janet Craig
With attractive dark green leaves, this plant is one of the most effective plants for removing trichloroethylene, a chemical commonly emitted by office equipment like photocopiers.

Rubber plant
Easy to grow, needs little light and is highly effective at removing formaldehyde. It is bred for toughness so is a hardy choice for offices where natural light supplies are limited.

Dendrobrium orchid
Absorbs carbon dioxide at night, the opposite of most plants. Produces exotic blooms and with appropriate care, these are surprisingly long-lasting. Moderately effective at removing alcohols, acetone, formaldehyde and chloroform from the atmosphere.

Beating the toxins: worst offenders

  Source: www.wolvertonenvironmental.com/chem.htm

Plant boost

If you want to create a healthier office, you can count on plants to:

• emit oxygen
• clean the air
• reduce stress
• reduce minor ailments
• reduce staff absence
• improve concentration and increase productivity
• help save energy
• reduce dust pollution
• reduce noise
• provide shade
  www.plant-force.co.uk

Essential reading

How to Grow Fresh Air is published in paperback by Weidenfeld & Nicholson. Price £9.99 www.orionbooks.co.uk