Forget opening the windows or installing hefty air humidifiers. Purifying plants is the next big thi

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are literally everywhere, especially in the air we breathe. It is estimated that roughly 30 percent of all new or refurbished buildings have varying amounts of indoor air pollution. These VOCs are quite poisonous in nature and many have even been characterized as carcinogenic. Contrary to common belief, these toxicants are especially concentrated in air inside enclosed rooms. According to the Clean Air Study conducted by NASA, the following list of pollutants and toxins can be found in the atmosphere that surrounds us: trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and ammonia. These VOCs can take a toll on the health of people breathing them in on a daily basis. Even under short-term exposure, there has been associated symptoms namely nausea and vomiting, drowsiness and coma, skin and eye irritation, swelling of the lungs, heart problems, coughing, and liver and kidney damage. Such toxicants originate from sources such as printing inks, paints, lacquers, facial tissues, paper towels, plastics, detergents, pesticides, and window cleaners. All these items are relatively common in household, office, and hotel room settings.

An Aloe Vera It is universally accepted that plants have the ability to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen and provide us with fresh air to breathe. There is definitely more than just simple gas exchange; our leafy green friends can remove the pollutants and toxins floating around in indoor air. Plants can break down some of the toxic chemicals and subsequently release harmless byproducts. They can also incorporate these VOCs into their tissues and remove them from the surrounding environment. Plants with the ability to eliminate the toxicants include the Dwarf Date palm, Boston fern, Spider plant, Kimberly Queen fern, Bamboo palm, Goldon Pothos, Broadleaf Lady palm, Janet Craig, Snake plant, Peace lily, and Aloe Vera. Such plants can be easily purchased from local garden centers. NASA research suggests that by having one plant per 100 square feet of room space, you should be reasonably safe from the pollutants and toxins.

Plants are abundant and quite cheap in a resource-rich country like Thailand. By investing only a little more, hotel areas and offices can be much more visually appealing! Clients and employees will feel refreshed and be safe from the toxicants in the air. So think small, think nearby, think plants! Join us and build a better and greener place to spend your day in.