Carbon monoxide

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is emitted from combustion processes. CO is a common air pollutant, and it is one of the six criteria pollutants regulated by EPA under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Ambient levels of CO can contribute to health problems, especially for individuals with heart disease and other chronic cardiopulmonary conditions. Carbon monoxide also contributes to the formation of smog, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and ozone (O₃), which are associated with air quality and climate concerns. Trees can remove ambient CO from the atmosphere, thus contributing to air quality and a stable climate, as well as helping to avoid potential human health problems associated with CO exposure.

Source:https://enviroatlas.epa.gov/enviroatlas/DataFactSheets/pdf/ESC/Carbonmonoxide.pdf

Carbon Monoxide Sources in the Home

In simple terms, CO is produced whenever a material burns. Homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages are more likely to have CO problems Common sources of CO in our homes include fuel-burning appliances and devices such as:

Furnaces or boilers
Gas stoves and ovens
Fireplaces, both gas and wood burnin
Water heaters
Clothes dryers
Wood stoves
Power generators
Motor vehicles
Power tools and lawn equipment
Tobacco smoke

Source:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/co/

Some Indoor plants for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air:

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens): Also called the “Butterfly Palm”. An upright houseplant that is somewhat vase shaped. Specimen plants can reach 10 to 12 foot in height. Prefers a humid area to avoid tip damage. Requires pruning. When selecting an Areca palm look for plants with larger caliber trunks at the base of the plant. Plants that have pencil thin stems tend to topple over and are quite difficult to maintain.

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa): Also called the “Lady Palm”, this durable palm species adapts well to most interiors. The Rhapis are some of the easiest palms to grow, but each species has its own particular environment and culture requirements. The “Lady Palm” grows slowly, but can grow to more than 14′ in height with broad clumps often having a diameter as wide as their height.

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii): Also called the “reed palm”, this palm prefers bright indirect light. New plants will lose of some interior foliage as they acclimate to indoor settings. This plant likes to stay uniformly moist, but does not like to be over-watered or to sit in standing water. Indoor palms may attract spider mites which can be controlled by spraying with a soapy solution.

Rubber Plant (Ficus robusta): Grows very well indoors, preferring semi-sun lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, especially in summer. Young plants may need to be supported by a stake. The Ficus grows to 8’ with a spread of 5’. Wear gloves when pruning, as the milky sap may irritate the skin. Water thoroughly when in active growth, and then allow the soil to become fairly dry before watering again. In winter keep slightly moist.

Dracaena “Janet Craig” (Dracaena deremensis): The Dracaena grows to 10’ with a spread of 3’. Easy to grow, these plants do best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the east/west. They can adapt to lower light levels if the watering is reduced. Keep the soil evenly moist and mist frequently with warm water. Remove any dead leaves. Leaf tips will go brown if the plant is under watered but this browning may be trimmed.

Philodendron (Philodendron sp.): One of the most durable of all house plants. Philodendrons prefer medium intensity light but will tolerate low light. Direct sun will burn the leaves and stunt plant growth. This plant is available in climbing and non-climbing varieties. When grown indoors, they need to be misted regularly and the leaves kept free of dust. Soil should be evenly moist, but allowed to dry between watering.

Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii): A hardy, drought-tolerant and long-lived plant, the Dwarf Date Palm needs a bright spot which is free of drafts. It grows slowly, reaching heights of 8-10’. The Dwarf Date Palm should not be placed near children’s play areas because it has sharp needle-like spines arranged near the base of the leaf stem. These can easily penetrate skin and even protective clothing.

Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii “Alii”): The Ficus Alii grows easily indoors, and resists insects. It prefers a humid environment and low to medium light when grown indoors. The Ficus Aliii should not be placed near heating or air conditioning vents or near drafts because this could cause leaf loss. Soil should be kept moist but allowed to dry between watering.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”): The Boston fern grows to 4’ in height with a spread up to 5’. It has feathery ferns which are best displayed as a hanging plant. It prefers bright indirect sunlight. Keep the soil barely moist and mist frequently with warm water. This plant is prone to spider mites and whitefly which can be controlled using a soapy water spray. Inspect new plants for bugs before bringing them home.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum “Mauna Loa”): The Peace Lily is a compact plant which grows to a height of 3’ with a 2’ spread. This hardy plant tolerates neglect. It prefers indirect sunlight and high humidity, but needs to be placed out of drafts. For best results, the Peace Lily should be thoroughly watered, then allowed to go moderately dry between waterings. The leaves should be misted frequently with warm water.

Source:http://learn.eartheasy.com/2009/05/the-top-10-plants-for-removing-indoor-toxins/