Studies show we spend 90% of our lives indoors, which make the health risks associated with indoor air pollution particularly compelling. Many of the diseases perplexing the medical profession are spawned by toxic overload to our bodies; cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases and birth defects are largely the result of environmental assaults on our beings. Further , The American Cancer Society claims environmental causes account for more than 50% of the cancer cases in the U.S. This is where houseplants come in.
Houseplants are currently receiving a lot of attention on improving indoor air quality. Ten years ago scientists from NASA discovered that
plants could remove volatile organic chemicals (VOC) from the air inside sealed test chambers. While most of our homes are not sealed like the space stations NASA builds, everyone can benefit from removal of VOCs by plants..

The gases most often studied include formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, ammonia, acetone, methyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, and trichlorethylene. The amount of purification depends on the plant being considered. Different houseplants purify different toxic chemicals to differing degrees. Below is a list of plants proven to improve indoor air quality by removing harmful chemicals (order oflisting is random).

Palms (Chrysalidocarpus, Rhapis , Chamaedorea , and Phoenix)

Fern (Nephrolepis)

Corn Plant and Dragon Tree (Dracaena)

Rubber Plant and Weeping Fig (Ficus)

English Ivy (Hedera)

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Florist Mum (Dendranthemum)

Gerber Daisy (Gerbera)

Dumb Cane (Dieffenba chia)

SchefJlera (Brassaia)

Orchids (Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis)

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)

Philodendron (Philodendron)

Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium)

Pothos (Epipremnum)

Dwarf Banana (Musa)

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Not only are these houseplants a beautiful addition to the interior landscape , they can be beneficial as well. McShane ‘s carries a wide variety of varieties and sizes. Just ask one of our professionals and we’d be happy to help you.