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INDOOR PLANTS
IMPROVE
AIR QUALITY

If a member of your family frequently suffer from sore throats and stuffy noses, they may be reacting to something more serious than allergies or the common cold.

Indoor air contaminants from seemingly benign sources such as furniture, drapes, carpets, insulation, paint and office machines can cause a variety of symptoms that include respiratory irritation, dizziness, headaches, skin rashes, nausea and vomiting. In fact, the EPA has issued a report stating that indoor air pollution may pose serious acute and chronic health risks with an economic impact of tens of billions of dollars per year.

The GOOD NEWS for homeowners and office workers: A low-cost, attractive solution does exist. Research conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shows that you may clean the air you breathe just by placing live plants throughout your home and office.

House Plants Improve The Air

NASA's studies concluded that common indoor plants can dramatically reduce toxic chemical levels in buildings with poor ventilation. NASA recommends placing 15 to 18 plants in a 1,800 square foot home to clean and refresh the air. Maximize effectiveness by placing plants where air circulates and keeps plants fresh and healthy. Our full spectrum lighting (Vita-Lite, Life-Lite) is excellent for indoor plants. Plants depend on good light for good growth, but relying on sunlight coming through a window a small part of the day is not enough. Clouds, haze, smog, and dirty, sooty windows all further prevent the proper and sufficient light from reaching plants. Fortunately, healthy plants and flowers can be grown and kept vital without any natural sunlight at all; full spectrum fluorescent light bulbs provide an excellent substitute and has the advantage of permitting plants to flourish on bookshelves, in stairwells and corridors, and other windowless areas.

GOOD LIGHT IS IMPORTANT: Proper balanced light has been the factor which, up to now, has been the most difficult to achieve in the home growing of houseplants. Smog and air pollutants diminish the quality and quantity of light and have forced many indoor horticulturists to depend on various types and mixtures of incandescent and fluorescent lights to grow their plants. Unfortunately, even the so-called "daylite" fluorescent tubes give only a fraction of true life-giving light energy to the plant surfaces. Our lamps simulate true natural light in a fluorescent light bulb. Plants under our natural full spectrum fluorescent bulbs appear just as they do outdoors in the natural light (sun and shade).

NATURAL FULL-SPECTRUM LIGHT: Sunlight is full-spectrum light; it cannot be improved upon. Full-spectrum light is white light in its proper balance of ultraviolet and visible. Under sunlight, virtually all plant and animal life evolved and flourished. And under sunlight all things are seen as they really are--in their true colors. The best artificial lights for indoor light gardening are those that most closely match sunlight. This is done with Vita-Lite, Life-Lite, which supplies complete "indoor sunshine" essential to the life support of many types of exotic vegetation (5500K, 91 CRI, Balanced UVA/UVB, similar to noon daylight). Vita-Lite and Life-Lite use a high quality broad spectrum phosphor which simulates natural sun light. The lower spectrum is used by plants for growth and the higher spectrum is used for blooming, etc. That is why Vita-Lite, and Life-Lite are the best for plant growth since these bulbs simulate natural outdoor light.

Customers' report excellent results (indoor gardening to growing exotic plants) using Vita-Lite and now Life-Lite (the only true Vita-Lite) full spectrum lighting. Natural full spectrum lighting simulates sunlight and promotes growth and blooming.

NATURAL AIR POLLUTION FIGHTERS - Plants, which proved effective as natural pollution fighters included those available at most florists or garden centers: Gerbera Daisy, Peace Lily, Bamboo Palm, Spider Plant, Dracaen Marginata, Mass Cane, Spathphyllum, Janet Craig and English Ivy Chinese Evergreen, Weeping Fig, Golden Pothos, Heart Leaf Philodendron, Aloe Vera, Mini-Schefflera, Peperomia, Corn Plant, Mother-In Law's Tongue lead the field in effectively reducing levels of a number of noxious gases found in almost every home and office building.

HARMFUL TOXINS ABSORBED BY PLANTS

Plants have been found effective in reducing the levels of common toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichlorethylene (TCE).

Benzene is a common chemical found in many products including gasoline, inks, oils, paints, plastics and rebber. It is an additive in detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals and dyes and has long been known as a skin and eye irritant.

Formeldehyde is found in virtually all indoor environments, including foam insulation, particle board or pressed wood products. It is used in consumer paper products treated with resins, including grocery bags, waxed papers, facial tissues and paper towels. Most household cleaning agents contain formeldehyde. The EPA recently conducted research which shows that formaldehyde, which is an irritant to mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat, may cause a rare throat cancer in long-term occupants of mobile homes.

TCE is used in metal degreasing and dry-cleaning processes. It is an ingredient I priming inks, paints, lacquers varnishes, and adhesives. The National Cancer Society considers TCE a potent liver carcinogen.

Recommend Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality: Peace Lily - Spathiphyillum Species, Chinese Evergreen, Weeping Fig, Golden Pothos, Heart Leaf Philodendron, Aloe Vera, Mini-Schefflera, Peperomia, Corn Plant, and Mother-In Law's Tongue.

Using plants for improving indoor air quality is economical (no air filter maintenance or filter replacement, no electricity), enhances home and work environment, and environmentally safe - green living.


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