Newly renovated houses and offices are filled with the smell of formaldehyde. What should we do? How harmful is formaldehyde, and which plants can help remove it? Let's take a look together with the editor!
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde, also known as methanal, is a colorless gas with a distinct irritating odor that can irritate the eyes and nose.
The main harm of formaldehyde is its irritating effect on the skin and mucous membranes.
When the concentration of formaldehyde in indoor air reaches a certain level, people will feel uncomfortable;
A formaldehyde concentration greater than 0.08m3 can cause red and itchy eyes, discomfort or pain in the throat, hoarseness, sneezing, chest tightness, asthma, and dermatitis.
Long-term exposure to formaldehyde
Long-term exposure to formaldehyde increases the risk of developing special cancers such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and myeloid leukemia.
Plants that can remove formaldehyde
1. Spider Plant
The spider plant undergoes photosynthesis under weak light and absorbs more than 80% of the toxic gases indoors. It is also extremely effective at absorbing formaldehyde.
By placing 2-3 pots of spider plants in a new house, most of the toxic gases in the air can be absorbed, making the spider plant equivalent to an air purifier.
2. English Ivy
English ivy is currently the strongest plant in absorbing formaldehyde and also has a strong adsorption effect on fine dust particles. It is an excellent plant for indoor air purification.
3. Snake Plant
Snake plants are not as effective as spider plants and aloe vera in purifying the air, but they are excellent at removing formaldehyde;
Snake plants can absorb nitrogen dioxide at night, improving air quality.
4. Peace Lily
Peace lilies can purify the air in new houses by removing benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. They are the most important weapon for air purification and are best placed in bedrooms to absorb formaldehyde.
