Photo credits: TED
Can adding the right plants to an environment grow all the fresh air we need?
Researcher and activist Kamal Meattle believes that arranging three common houseplants in specific spots in a home or office could result in measurably cleaner air.
Seventeen years ago Meattle became allergic to Delhi’s air. Doctors said it was killing him. His search for cleaner air led him to seek help from the Indian Institute of Technology and the Energy and Resources Institute.
Tested for 15 years at his office building in Delhi, the study showed that compared to others, there was a reduction in respiratory irritations, lunge impairments, Asma and other problems caused by polluted air. It also showed a decrease in energy requirements because you need less fresh air pumped in.
They worked out the plants best for the job. The Areca Palm removes CO2 and converts it into oxygen. The Mother-in-law’s Tongue also known as “The Bedroom Plant”, converts CO2 into oxygen at night. The Money Plant removes formaldehyde and other volatile chemicals.
In fact, he believes that with these three plants in the correct numbers, you could close yourself in a bottle and grow all the air you need to live.