Monday, April 6, 2009

COPD & Asthma: Cleaning the Indoor Air Naturally

Some houseplants are very harmful for pets. At the end of this article is a list of some of those plants that will harm your beloved pet. Please be sure to take precautionary measures to protect your family, including your wonderful furkids!
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Adapted from Your Naturally Healthy Home, by Alan Berman.

Houseplants are our often-overlooked helpers in ridding the air of pollutants and toxins, counteracting outgassing and contributing to balanced internal humidity.

Find out which houseplants are our most effective allies inkeeping your household air clean and pure.

It is suggested that one plant should be allowed for approximately10 square yards of floor space, assuming average ceiling heightsof 8 to 9 feet. This means that you need two or three plants tocontribute to good air quality in the average domestic livingroom of about 20 to 25 square yards.

Research has shown that these 10 plants are the most effectiveall-around in counteracting offgassed chemicals and contributingto balanced internal humidity.

Areca palm
Reed palm
Dwarf date palm
Boston fern
Janet Craig dracaena
English ivy
Australian sword fern
Peace Lily
Rubber plant
Weeping fig

Although many plants like light, they do not all have to be placed near windows. Many indoor plants originated in the dense shade of tropical forests and have a high rate of photosynthesis. These are ideal for the home and can be placed in darker corners. When positioning plants, try to strike a balance between light and ventilation because the effect of plants on indoor air pollution appears to be reduced if they are set in a draft.


COMMON HOUSE PLANTS THAT ARE HARMFUL TO PETS
Adapted from The Puppy Owner’s Manual, by Diana Delmar (Storey Books, 2001).

We know to keep certain poisons—like antifreeze—away from our pets, but many people don’t know how toxic their houseplants are. When we avoid growing these 12 houseplants that are considered toxic, we can help to keep our pets safe.

Aloe vera
Boston ivy
Caladium
Dumbcane
English ivy
German ivy
India rubber plant
Mistletoe
Philodendron
Potted chrysanthemum
Weeping fig
Yew