A recent study claims that indoor air pollution is as dangerous as outdoor air pollution. NASD and University of Kentucky Extension provide a good overview of the sources and ways to control indoor air pollution. And what if we told you that snake plant is one of them? Keep reading to know what does snake plant do to you and your house.
An Oxygen-Producing Houseplant
This study published by Harvard University Extension observes that the snake plant produces the most oxygen out of any houseplant. The list also includes ficus and pothos.
Absorb Carbon Dioxide
In 2015, a study on Indoor CO2 consequences indicated that humans who breathe more carbon dioxide at home, at work, and in the classroom have difficulty performing and learning. CO2 levels directly affect our cognitive abilities and productivity, and dizziness is among other consequences.
Snake plants, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, effectively absorb CO2. Researchers at Naresuan University, Thailand, studied the effects of 4-5 snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) on CO2 levels in offices when they used 60-80 cm tall snake plants.
It Removes Air Pollutants
Snake plants make significant contributions to removing toxic air pollutants from the atmosphere, which is one of their best health benefits. Besides CO2, it is also capable of absorbing benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Well-known scientific evidence proves that these cancer-causing pollutants are dangerous.
An experiment conducted by NASA in 1989 on indoor plants proved that plants with more leaf surface area (bigger, leafier plants) purify the air more effectively. Snake plants are one of these plants.
Benzene
Indoor air contains a lot of benzene, which makes it a common allergen. You may be exposed to heat and cool systems, solvents, paints, or to smoke. If you are exposed to benzene, you may experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Medical research has proven that prolonged exposure to benzene causes cancers related to blood cells.
In addition to taking other measures, you can grow snake plants at home. This plant absorbs benzene. According to the NASA study, the snake plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) was able to eliminate 52.6 % of the harmful chemicals. At the start of the 24 hour period, the p/m reading was 0.156, which had reduced to 0.074 at the end of the period.
Formaldehyde
Cooking, smoking, cosmetics, paints, fuel combustion from traffic, etc., are significant sources of formaldehyde emissions. Additionally, new appliances, flooring, and furniture are also to be considered. A survey of WHO guidelines for indoor air quality shows that formaldehyde is also present.
A high level of formaldehyde causes eyes, nose, and throat irritation as well as breathing problems. Rare cancers of the nose and throat can be caused by chronic exposure to it. What does snake plant do? Snake plants are excellent indoor plants that reduce formaldehyde levels! A single plant removed 31,294 micrograms during a 24-hour exposure in a NASA experiment.
Xylene
It has been reported that xylene is hazardous to humans. Paint, varnish, rust preventives, paint thinners, removers, and pesticides can expose you to it. As a result of xylene exposure, your nose, throat, and eyes will be irritated. Again, xylene can be removed from your home by many houseplants, such as snake plants, mums, and areca palms.
Trichloroethylene & Toluene
Inks, lacquers, paint removers, varnishes, adhesives, and varnish removers contain trichloroethylene (TCE). As well as being carcinogenic, TCE can cause nausea, fatigue, and headaches.
In addition to affecting mental health, toluene causes dysfunction in the nervous system. Necrosis is also known to be caused by long-term exposure to As well as being harmful to female reproduction, it can negatively affect children’s development. The main sources of this poison are gasoline, paint solvents, plastic bottles, and paint cosmetics. Plant a snake plant in your home to reduce the risk of exposed to trichloroethylene and toluene. As a result of the experiment, 13.4% of the TCE was removed after 24 hours of exposure. What else does snake plant do? See how effective is snake plant at purification of air.
Absorbs CO2 in the Night
Snake plants and any other plants that emit oxygen continuously during the nighttime is a matter of disbelief and confusion. There is no substantial evidence to support this claim. Nevertheless, snake plants reduce CO2 even at night. It is possible because of the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). Plants that can thrive in dry climates, such as succulents, are CAM plants. As soon as the sun sets, the stomata open to minimize the loss of water.
Allergy-Preventive Plants
By releasing oxygen, the plant reduces CO2 and absorbs harmful volatile organic compounds, which can certainly decrease the chances of airborne allergies. A snake plant is one of them! Bringing indoor plants into your home helps promote better air quality, even if you use air filters and purifiers.
It Looks Great!
What does snake plant do? As well as being one of the best air-purifying houseplants, it also looks so beautiful and unique. In addition to the artificial-looking unsloped, thick, and tall foliage, the striped horizontal leaves in shades of yellow, green, or gray make it a desirable indoor plant.