Is Paris trading "la vie en rose" for "la vie en verte?"
- European Top Court Upholds French Ban on Bee-Harming Pesticides ›
- Paris Goes Car-Free First Sunday of Every Month - EcoWatch ›
EcoWatch Daily Newsletter
From reducing stress levels to improving your focus, houseplants have many benefits. But did you know that some species of air-filtering plants can even prevent you from getting liver damage, kidney disease, and cancer?
1. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkxMC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMzgxMDEyNH0.WRQgHRgQrnGi7o4EmnEGCFaVhq4lFgFTBZcl27hiTvY/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C238%2C0%2C238&height=700" id="58d09" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3d2a98671bb0e47730a15485ffb1b46c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />pink peace lily free image | Peakpxwww.peakpx.com<h3>Best For Air Purification</h3> <p>We're going with NASA on this one. According to the air-purifying plants study, the peace lily is unmatched in its ability to filter a range of chemicals from your air. Pair that with its low maintenance and unique look, and there's no doubt it tops our list of best air-filtering plants.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Keep soil moist<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>2. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkxMi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NjAwMjc3MX0.7W7b-3oKcjlVwedH-ypdOKAXRT4BGHm1b4x3WLoN0qk/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C31%2C0%2C31&height=700" id="b5b36" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2c72efbd1aace5c7cb92d375519fb4f4" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />File:Epipremnum aureum 31082012.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Quick Growth</h3> <p>Devil's ivy, money plant, hunter's robe—the golden pothos plant goes by many aliases. But no matter what you call it, there's no denying this species' ability to purify carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde from your air. It's also one of the quickest-growing (and easiest to maintain) houseplants, so it's great for beginner <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/home-garden-2646349726.html" target="_self">home gardeners</a>.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Low light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>3. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkxMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNDI5MTc3Mn0.N497LzizmkYdwaJ8btvWq6k7gjzpbemyiqlN_bWH6kY/img.jpg?width=2000&coordinates=0%2C630%2C0%2C630&height=1500" id="5528e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5feb2d2d115bd90936c99ff3c93fe36b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="2000" data-height="1500" />File:Snake Plant I.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Frequent Travelers</h3> <p>Ask any botanist which household plant requires the least maintenance, and the snake plant will surely be mentioned. This trendy plant makes for an excellent gift for avid travelers who are away from their homes for weeks at a time, or anyone else interested in low-maintenance, air-purifying plants.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Low light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering, but soil can also become moderately dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Low, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>4. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea erumpens)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkyMC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMjMwNzk3MH0.uXDDaxj34Hjdla9zUtFvAJ1_e98Ul2I1lcm1pvR611c/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C191%2C0%2C191&height=700" id="17646" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ff5e4230d29e9f2c7855e17093eac5c5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1245" data-height="700" />green palm tree near buildingPhoto by katie manning on Unsplash<h3>Best Floor Plant</h3><p>No relation to actual bamboo, this palm makes an excellent floor piece in any home. The eye-catching fronds create an interesting and natural centerpiece, all while silently filtering the benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from your air.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Low light to medium light<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Nontoxic</p>5. Scarlet Star Bromeliad (Guzmania lingulata)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkyMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNDUzNzgzN30.RjPp5tl-REXlAM500qUKfS1kBQgLf0bnIeOTc12-n1g/img.jpg?width=980" id="11e79" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b0f7361dd4e10e650e0c43eb721d188a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1023" data-height="682" />File:Scarlet Star (Guzmania lingulata) (2857478111).jpg - Wikimedia ...commons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Your Bathroom</h3> <p>In a recent study, chemists at the <a href="https://www.oswego.edu/news/story/oswego-professor-students-explore-green-solution-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">State University of New York Oswego</a> found bromeliads, like the Scarlet Star, to remove 80% of VOCs from the air in only 12 hours. These flowering plants love humid environments, so consider placing them in the bathroom where they can soak up the steam from your showers.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: High, 50% or higher humidity<br>Need to Know: Nontoxic</p>6. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkyMi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwMDYwNX0.27MgmQTLv3W1frSydyg1xF3_yZeOXzjAheBZpHr32iY/img.jpg?width=980" id="bdefa" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bb70cb5cb24eb4d7767001d783e301ec" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="4000" data-height="3000" />File:Hedera helix (English ivy) (Middletown, Ohio, USA) 1 ...commons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best Trailing Plant</h3> <p>The leaves of English Ivy come in many different styles, but all are mesmerizing when trailing down bookcases or out of hanging planters. Pot your ivy in soil or water and give it nutrients, and it becomes a low-maintenance, air-filtering piece of natural art.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Cool to average, 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNzY2NTQyNn0.vz8XK9MOHEPcFwY-sSEPbVyIN2X68ga5VrZLxM5VmRE/img.jpg?width=980" id="a87d3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="79b2ff1c84519493a0b0edeb54e74b1f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="3872" data-height="2592" />File:Spider plant stolon2.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best Hanging Plant<br></h3> <p>The spider plant has become one of the most popular houseplants of modern times, and for good reason. In addition to being nontoxic, low-maintenance, and easy on the eyes, it works well as a carbon monoxide and VOC eliminator.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Keep soil moist<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Nontoxic</p>8. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkyNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTA1MjAwMn0.v1HDYq9zkeMOQ97vJxsKNlX7Oi1XOqSOkmgaz_RGqU0/img.jpg?width=980" id="30b6f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e488b996bdc24b05f752325534dd1bcf" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="720" />Boston Fern House Plant - Free photo on Pixabaypixabay.com<h3>Best For Home Propagating</h3><p>While the Boston Fern will do just fine in average humidity, a savvy plant owner will consider moving it into the bathroom with the Scarlet Star for some serious growth. When it outgrows its current pot, you can easily separate the roots into two separate plants. Keep this propagation cycle going to turn your home into a mini Jurassic world.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average to high, 25% to 50% or higher humidity<br>Need to Know: Nontoxic</p>9. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkyOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MTAxODEwOH0.1SA-szRQIMaehBrPbSZ2XalafpJGLl61wadpRmYLEwE/img.jpg?width=980" id="a370f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="175aab7297abf09a3a0bc7a1c89be1e6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="3499" data-height="5249" />Aloe vera plant on pot near wallPhoto by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash<h3>Best Dual-Purpose Plant</h3> <p>Aloe vera plants are not only useful after you forget to re-apply your <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/reef-friendly-sunscreens-2634686426.html" target="_self">reef-safe sunscreen</a>. They're also great to keep in your home for their air-filtering properties. Make sure they get plenty of sun (or install <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/grow-lights-indoor-gardening-2543133701.html" target="_self">indoor grow lights</a> if natural light isn't an option), and they'll earn their keep by removing formaldehyde from your air.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: At least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day<br>Water: Soil can become moderately dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Warm, 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Low, 5% to 24% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>10. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkzMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MjQ2MTQxNn0.i9-U_AkpOb_2FyWcqlfxlZ-vkGc2PITSR8gtG53F3oI/img.jpg?width=980" id="e2149" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b17edd15ae10ea11fdd38e5f23fac7d3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="3920" data-height="2204" />File:Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema nitidum 'Silver Queen').jpg ...commons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Child-Free, Pet-Free Homes</h3> <p>One of the most <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/best-indoor-office-plants-2578031669.html" target="_self">popular indoor plants</a> in the world, the Chinese Evergreen thrives in low-medium light, making it ideal for brightening up darker corners of your home. For centuries, this plant has been bred throughout Asia as a "lucky plant," and in NASA's clean air study, scientists proved its ability to bring the fortune of good health.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Low light to medium light<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>11. Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkzMi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2OTI2ODI0OH0.ZnCFmlQ6DzINPA9Pev-5ECovw3Pe_Jnac0pydNjmt98/img.jpg?width=980" id="af52f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7c8bf844850bc13bdb7bfa52257573f0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1961" data-height="3920" />File:Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana').jpg - Wikimedia ...commons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Serial Plant-Killers</h3> <p>Corn plants' thick canes make them visually appealing, but they're also one of the most effective air-purifying plants, removing VOCs like formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon dioxide. Plus, their care is near foolproof, so they're a great choice for those of us who don't exactly have a green thumb.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to pets if ingested</p>12. Janet Craig (Dracaena deremensis)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkzMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzODA4MzcwM30.Iomvc030Xe4gOhJkxPCl49oEwuVloi4U3ZDvIaYmoOM/img.jpg?width=980" id="d8f2d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ef958aa84de8932c402e61f76c2e8be7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1944" data-height="2592" />File:Dracaena Deremensis Janet Craig Flowering.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Large Spaces</h3> <p>Improving your air quality is near effortless with the Janet Craig plant. This large, easy-to-grow floor plant can survive in anything from low light to bright, indirect light and doesn't need much water. It fills a room beautifully, purifying the air at the same time.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Low light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>13. Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MTYxNDMyOH0.M3gqWSIU-YsIlxUS-zvmzCFU-EVj1H3MarDLsCIcDk0/img.jpg?width=980" id="2984e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c0774c6bcfa7e8720432a97b36c5c16d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="2204" data-height="3920" />File:Broadleaf Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa).jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Filtering Cleaning Fumes</h3> <p>Haven't yet swapped harsh household disinfectants for <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/eco-cleaning-products-2649054624.html" target="_self">eco-friendly cleaning products</a>? The ornate broadleaf lady palm can help remove toxic ammonia that may be trapped in the air in your home or apartment.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Nontoxic</p>14. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDk0NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTAzNTU5OX0.eLxjKkhi283jwDe__DCB-VVyioOaImAfw0j4vN7bDh4/img.jpg?width=980" id="b84d1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f8551cf048ff743de4cafd9ef8bd5f40" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="2112" data-height="2816" />File:Starr 080608-7577 Ficus benjamina.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best Indoor Tree</h3><p>Weeping figs, also called ficus trees, are easy to care for and have superior formaldehyde-filtering abilities. However, if you have a sensitive immune system, this may not be the plant for you—weeping figs are one of the most common sources of household allergens, behind dust and pet dander.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Bright, indirect sunlight to direct sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>15. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDk0Ny9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMzAyNjEyOH0.njxbVkZ7uulzlrhuFHKNUTop2tJ99HkHUbwkOads_P8/img.jpg?width=980" id="b0877" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0baca420bcd8b91bceb0831176213629" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="1536" data-height="2048" />File:Ficus elastica Variegata.jpeg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Tall Growth</h3><p>If you're looking for an <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/house-plant-rabbit-gene-2623931641.html" target="_self">air-purifying plant</a> that grows tall quickly, consider a rubber plant. When given the proper care, this species—which was named for its latex-loaded sap—can grow up to two feet per growing season, topping out at about 10 feet tall.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to direct sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average to warm, 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>16. Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkzNy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTE2ODkwNH0.A1USOmpfrlCZQEoNKQr_qI7lCokV7TK5zPCrrpRjiHk/img.jpg?width=980" id="862d5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ed0d8bdee48922f72c0b82159174cae9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="3920" data-height="2204" />File:Areca palm 1.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best For Pet Owners</h3> <p>Areca palms not only filter indoor toxins from the air, but they also act as a natural humidifier, adding moisture to the air around them. If you have playful pets, they may be attracted to the palm's dangling fronds, but rest assured they're nontoxic and won't harm your animals if bitten or swatted at. </p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Keep soil moist<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Nontoxic</p>17. Flamingo Lily (Anthurium scherzerianum)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDkzOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxODk4MDQ3M30.LqdhkGq6NbQXHusGlVdeDPgldx9SXE3LKNOTfkt3Rww/img.jpg?width=980" id="8e774" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="396bc1fa1428dff59bceea1e4910a0dd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="2560" data-height="1920" />File:AnthuriumAndraenum.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Best Color</h3> <p>A pop of bright color can liven up any room, and in that regard, the flamingo lily has you covered. This <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/plants-that-promote-wellness-2580130461.html" target="_self">plant promotes wellness</a> by removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and ammonium while adding a vibrant touch to your house or apartment.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Medium light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Keep soil moist<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average to high, 25% to 50% or higher humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested or touched</p>18. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDk0MC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MDI5NDc1MX0.FgUS7qeu5JibJl3yPojlzxNfNv2-Aidl78VGNTlCI8U/img.jpg?width=980" id="fdc56" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c6c05fc04b1447e4ec5734adda8f714b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="2500" data-height="2425" />File:Chrysanthemum morifolium 08NOV.jpg - Wikipediaen.m.wikipedia.org<h3>Best Air-Purifying Flower</h3> <p>Prefer the look of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/delicate-flowers-injury-recovery-2645667102.html" target="_self">blooming flowers</a> to leafy green plants? Chrysanthemums are an excellent pick. Simply pot these flowers, set them on a sunny windowsill, and enjoy a home with fewer traces of formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: At least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day<br>Water: Keep soil moist<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>19. Warneckii (Dracaena deremensis)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDk0My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2Mzc1NjMzNX0.0HDDiHQfIHmij3DDD9_2SWVJ2nf_4JRKkR-C4WT3rIM/img.jpg?width=980" id="b3384" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6b94ff8ede669185a32de542c381e99a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="3504" data-height="2336" />File:Dracaena deremensis Warneckii 1zz.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Most Versatile</h3> <p>The Warneckii is yet another species in the <em>Dracaena</em> genus that performed well in NASA's clean air study. The best part about this plant? You can pot a small clipping or larger stalks to fill any space in your home or apartment—no matter how big or small.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Low light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>20. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk3MDk0NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzkzMjk2MH0.5R1uAklEC_yTirRxWuK91bOHad53i6LcINLLLIP2czE/img.jpg?width=980" id="71c8b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="38b0907d49f6b3f7afba003def0db9d0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="2112" data-height="2816" />File:Starr 080117-2117 Dracaena marginata.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org<h3>Trendiest</h3> <p>It's safe to say dragon trees are having a moment. These trendy air-purifying plants have become a popular fixture of modern decor, but their <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/health-benefits-of-having-plants-at-home-2608386260.html" target="_self">benefits go far beyond aesthetics</a>—they also filter trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon dioxide from the air around you.</p><h4>How To Keep It Alive</h4><p>Light: Low light to bright, indirect sunlight<br>Water: Soil's surface should dry before re-watering<br>Temperature: Average, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit<br>Humidity: Average, 25% to 49% humidity<br>Need to Know: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested</p>Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>- Best CBD Oils of 2020: Reviews & Buying Guide - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD Oil for Pain Management - Top 10 CBD Oil Review 2020 ... ›
- Best CBD for Dogs 2020 - Organic CBD Oil for Pets - EcoWatch ›
- Full Spectrum CBD Oil: What To Know - EcoWatch ›
- Charlotte's Web: A Review of the Certified B Corp CBD Brand ›
- Best CBD Waters: Plus All You Need to Know - EcoWatch ›
- The Best Water Soluble CBD Available Online - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD for Sleep (Lab-Tested, Person-Tested Oils) - EcoWatch ›
- CBD Oil for Dogs: 7 Benefits & Treatment Guide - EcoWatch ›
- NuLeaf Naturals CBD Review | Are They Worth The Cost? - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD Capsules & Pills - Buyer's Guide (Update for 2021) - EcoWatch ›
- Because Price Matters: Most Affordable CBD Oils of 2021 - EcoWatch ›
- Strongest CBD Oils to Buy in 2021? - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD Oils For Pain: Top 3 Brands of 2021 - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD Vape Pen: Top Brands of 2020 - EcoWatch ›
The air pollution in several Indian cities is getting so bad that government officials have initiated drastic measures to protect its citizens from the eye-stinging levels of smog. In fact, the nation's capital of New Delhi currently holds the ominous title of world's most polluted city, CNN reported.
New Delhi is the most polluted city on Earth right now https://t.co/54SuYq9trR https://t.co/xTQoeUmwas— CNN (@CNN)1478508301.0
On Sunday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
declared the intense smog levels an "emergency situation," and ordered the shut down of 5,000 schools for the next three days and the halting of construction operations for the next five days. A coal-fired power plant will also be closed for 10 days and roads will be doused with water to suppress dust. If the situation does not improve, Kejriwal might impose odd-even vehicle restrictions that would only permit driving every other day.
"Pollution has increased to an extent that (the) outdoors in Delhi are resembling a gas chamber," Kejriwal said, adding that the smog blanketing the capital is due to crop burning in the neighboring agricultural states of Punjab and Haryana.
The ongoing pollution sparked a protest on Sunday outside of Parliament in the city center. Hundreds of protesters showed up in pollution masks, demanding the government to protect its citizens' right to breathe clean air.
Stop blaming governments. Become a part of the solution. Citizen participation. #DelhiSmog #MyRightToBreathe https://t.co/NkZH4Hj5wm— Dia Mirza (@Dia Mirza)1478420357.0
Many people initially blamed the smog on Sunday's Diwali festivities, but Kejriwal said that "fireworks during Diwali marginally added to the pollution … But other things inside Delhi did not drastically change. So the smog is mainly due to smoke from farm fires."
Still, the air pollution in Delhi has notably worsened over the years from several factors including its growing population of 25 million, rapid urbanization, an increase in traffic and emissions from diesel-burning cars, coal-fired power plants and other industrial emissions. This winter's weather patterns also means less wind to circulate the air, the Associated Press explained.
Delhi comes together at Jantar Mantar for its right to clean and pollution-free air. Support the movement. Tweet us… https://t.co/jTRasfYmZF— My Right To (@My Right To)1478407947.0
Following in New Delhi's footsteps, officials in the city of Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh, have also been forced to close schools on Monday and Tuesday due to ghastly pollution levels.
According to the Associated Press, New Delhi and Lucknow have registered the levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers, one of the deadliest and most dangerous forms of air pollution) above 400 micrograms per cubic meter on Monday. That's more than 40 times the safety limit set by the World Health Organization, and more than six times the limit set by Indian law. For comparison, Los Angeles—one of the most polluted cities in the U.S.—has a PM2.5 reading of 74 as of Monday morning.
Air is safe to breathe at 150, but the Air Quality Index from the US Embassy in Delhi reported that the city's terrible air quality is literally off the charts at a "hazardous" 999.
US Embassy New Delhi's PM2.5 reading is actually maxed out right now. What. #Pollution https://t.co/0s8SYmMlp7— Ankit Panda (@Ankit Panda)1477885831.0
Trending
A Dutch tech startup called Envinity Group has unveiled a giant outdoor vacuum cleaner designed to filter the tiniest toxic specks from the atmosphere.
Dutch unveil giant vacuum to clean outside air https://t.co/qjn7gKgLx0 https://t.co/lx98zRAspb— Hindustan Times (@Hindustan Times)1477481401.0
The invention was presented at the Offshore Energy trade fair in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
"It's a large industrial filter about 8 meters (26 feet) long, made of steel ... placed basically on top of buildings and it works like a big vacuum cleaner," company spokesman Henk Boersen told AFP.
The firm describes their invention as the "world's first giant outside air vacuum cleaner," according to AFP.
"A large column of air will pass through the filter and come out clear," Boersen told AFP.
Envinity claims that their prototype can suck in air from a 300-meter radius and about seven kilometers (4 miles) upwards. Citing tests from the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, the impressive machine can clean about 800,000 cubic meters (28,000 cubic feet) of air per hour using patented ozone-free ion technology. As a result, the vacuum can filter out 100 percent of fine particles and 95 percent of ultra-fine particles.
As Envinity states, fine particles and ultra-fine particles are indeed extremely harmful to public health, and can be a hindrance to national, regional and local investments and economic progress.
"Without really being aware of it, we breathe in small quantities of toxic particles from the surrounding air 24 hours a day. These are responsible for a great many health problems," Envinity notes on its website.
As EcoWatch observed previously, exposure to poor air quality is the world's fourth-leading threat to human health. An International Energy Agency study found that 6.5 million deaths globally are attributed to poor air quality.
6.5 Million People Die Each Year From Air Pollution, IEA Says https://t.co/Tq0UZPr7Kj @CleanAirLondon @cleanaircatf— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)1467424209.0
According to Envinity, fine particles, or particles smaller than 10 micrometers, are linked to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular health problems. Ultra-fine particles, which are smaller than 0.1 micrometers, have an even greater impact on public health as they can damage the nervous system, including brain cells and also cause infections in the human body.
These toxic particles are the result of man-made pollution. Unregulated and poorly regulated energy production and use, as well as inefficient fuel combustion, are the "most important man-made sources of key air pollutant emissions," the International Energy Agency stated. Eighty-five percent of particulate matter—which can contain acids, metals, soil and dust particles—and almost all sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides can be linked back to those sources.
Boersen said that governments, businesses and airports have already expressed interest in the project.
"It might be a cliché, but we hope that we will be able to leave the world a better place than when we found it," Envinity Group co-founder Simon van der Burg told Dutch News.
Policy plays an enormous role in the future of our planet. Check out this great list from Mother Jones of four recent environmental policies we should all be thankful for.
1. The U.S. and the World Bank will avoid financing coal-fired power plants abroad.
Burning coal is among the dirtiest ways to produce energy and quickest ways to accelerate climate change. This July, when the World Bank announced it would limit funding for new coal-burning plants to “rare circumstances” where countries have “no feasible alternatives,” green advocates were thrilled. At the same time, the global development giant also reversed its opposition to hydroelectric power, which many environmental activists had pushed as an alternative to cheap energy from coal. Last month, based on an announcement President Obama made in June, the U.S. Treasury Department also ceased financing any new coal projects abroad except in cases where coal was the only viable option for bringing power to poor regions. The U.S. and World Bank decisions only affect coal projects that use public financing; around the world, many are built with private money. But a Treasury official told the New York Times the Obama administration believed “if public financing points the way, it will then facilitate private investment.”
2. The White House will push carbon limits for new and existing power plants.
Natural gas and coal-fired power plants are responsible for 40 percent of the United States’ carbon emissions and one-third of its greenhouse gas emissions. The country can’t address climate change without regulating this sector of the economy. In his June speech at Georgetown University, President Obama announced that for the first time ever, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will propose rules to cap carbon emissions from existing power plants. His administration also pushed forward a rule to limit pollution from new power plants, which had stalled last year. If the EPA finalizes the rule and it’s upheld in court, it would limit new coal-fired plants to 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per megawatt hour—the average coal power plant releases 1,800 pounds—and new gas power plants to 1,000 pounds. Obama said the rules were necessary for the U.S. to meet its pledge to bring down greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent—or below 2005 levels—by the year 2020.
3. The global warming slowdown showed that international agreements can reduce climate change.
The so-called global warming “slowdown” you heard about over the summer certainly doesn’t mean that global warming has stopped—regardless of what climate skeptics may be saying. Although climate scientists determined that over the past 15 years, the rate of the warming of the planet has slowed, the Earth’s surface and oceans are continuing to heat up at an alarming rate. (Other recent research suggests the slowdown might not have occurred.) But one study found an unexpected factor contributed to the slowdown: the partial cause appears to be a planet-wide phaseout of greenhouse-trapping gases called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which more than 40 countries agreed to by signing the Montreal Protocol in 1988. Without the protocol, environmental economist Francisco Estrada of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México reports, global temperatures today would be about a tenth of a degree Celsius higher than they are, Tim McDonnell explained earlier this month. That’s roughly an eighth of the total warming documented since 1880. Bottom line? The global warming slowdown actually seems to be a strong indication that international treaties aimed at reducing climate change can work—and that we need more of them.
4. The world’s largest economies will reduce the use of a potent greenhouse gas.
The phaseout of CFCs had another unexpected outcome. Manufacturers began to replace CFCs—used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol cans—with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs don’t eat away at the ozone layer like CFCs do. But scientists recently concluded HFCs are a type of super-pollutant—gases that have exponentially more heat-trapping ability than carbon dioxide, although they dissipate from the atmosphere within a few years. Without intervention, HFCs were on track to make a huge contribution to global warming. If present trends hold steady, then by the year 2050, the amount of HFCs humans will have released into the atmosphere will cause as much warming as 90 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. But this year saw positive signs that world leaders are ready to curb this powerful greenhouse gas. In a deal that the White House announced in June, the U.S. and China agreed to explore technologies and financial incentives to reduce the use of HFCs. Three months later, leaders of the Group of 20, which includes major economic powers like Russia, announced that their countries, too, would make plans to reduce the use of HFCs.
Visit EcoWatch’s CLIMATE CHANGE page for more related news on this topic.
National Walk to School Day Gets Kids Off the Bus, Reduces Pollution
Thousands of children across the U.S. will shun the yellow bus and walk or bicycle to school on Oct. 9 as part of National Walk to School Day.
Organizers of the one-day event, now in its 16th year, say walking or bicycling to school results in a number of positive consequences, including reduced traffic—and less air pollutants emitted by vehicles.
And it's not just by school buses. Personal vehicles taking students to school account for 10 percent to 14 percent of all personal vehicle trips made during the morning peak commute times, according to a 2011 report from the National Center for Safe Routes to School (based on National Household Travel Survey Data, 2009). Those vehicles emit a variety of air pollutants, resulting in increases in ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter such as particles of dust, soot, smoke, dirt and liquid droplets, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Organizers say other benefits of walking to school include increased physical activity, a stronger sense of community, safer streets and lower costs for school districts—one school district calculated $237,000 in annual savings.
The event was founded in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America as a way to build awareness of the need for walkable communities. The event became international in 2000 when the U.K. and Canada joined; today more than 40 countries participate. In 2012, bicycling to school became part of the event.
Participation in Walk to School Day 2012 reached a record high, with more than 4,200 events registered from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Many more communities held events but did not register.
Union of Concerned Scientists
An extraordinary delay in the development of federal protections against exposure to crystalline silica is harming American workers, more than 300 public health scientists, doctors and occupational safety experts told President Obama Jan. 25.
In a letter, the group asked the president to intervene and direct the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to complete its review of a proposed rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to protect workers from exposure to the deadly dust “so that the public, workers, unions, public health experts and employers have the full opportunity to participate in the development of this important worker protection measure.”
Despite being required by executive order to complete its review of proposed rules within 90 days, OMB has held the rule for nearly a year, with no signal of when its review will be complete.
“This delay in action by OMB leaves workers at significant risk of disease and death,” according to the letter. “It also prevents the rulemaking process from moving forward, obstructing public participation on this important worker safety and public health matter.”
The scientists have joined the American Industrial Hygiene Association in questioning whether the delay is due to politics. The letter notes that OMB staff has held at least nine private meetings on the proposed rules, most of which involved individuals that represent companies with a direct financial stake in their outcome.
The rule has been in development for 14 years. On Dec. 21, 2011, the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health wrote the secretaries of Labor and Health and Human Services to emphasize the importance of issuing the proposed silica rule “so that the public hearings and comment period can commence, and a final silica standard issued to protect workers from this serious workplace hazard.”
“The White House’s job is to coordinate the development of rules that protect the public, not to stand in their way,” said Francesca Grifo, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Scientific Integrity Program. “The OMB is hundreds of days behind schedule, and every day these rules are delayed, more workers are at risk.”
An estimated 1.7 million workers in the U.S. are exposed to respirable crystalline silica, a product of industrial processes like stonecutting, road building and sand blasting that can cause lung cancer, silicosis and other respiratory illnesses.
“Working in silica dust has left me with bad lungs," said Leonard Serafin, a former railroad worker with silicosis from San Bernardino, Calif. "Every day, I struggle to do activities because of my condition. I want to see that other people are protected from this dust—it’s not fair to expose people to something this dangerous when they can be protected.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that about 200 workers die each year from silicosis, and studies estimate there are as many as 7,300 new cases of silicosis annually among U.S. workers. Most of the time, the prognosis is grim.
“When a person with silicosis starts to have trouble breathing, it is too late for effective treatment because the silica dust has caused permanent scarring of the lungs," said Dr. Robert Harrison, clinical professor of Medicine at University of California San Francisco and an occupational disease expert who signed the letter. "When I see a patient with silicosis, it's a stark reminder that our worker safety regulations are inadequate. Silicosis is 100 percent preventable."
Signers of the letter include public health and occupational safety advocates from 39 states and the District of Columbia along with several advocacy groups, including the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Interfaith Worker Justice.
For more information, click here.
—————
The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Trending
Stefanie Penn Spear
I'm often asked what keeps me so dedicated to protecting the health of the planet. My typical response is that I know if more people were educated about the impact their daily lives have on the health of the environment and future generations, they would adopt sustainable practices, and strive to protect the water we drink and the air we breathe.
The announcement yesterday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), issuing the first national standards for mercury pollution from power plants, is a perfect example of why I continue with this work. If it weren't for the tens of thousands of people working every day to encourage the passage of stronger air standards, it would have remained business as usual and the nation's air quality would continue to decline since the U.S. lacks, for the most part, the congressional leadership needed to assure proper air quality standards.
I was having dinner with a friend last night who explained how her husband's asthma is getting worse and the change in the formula of his inhaler seems to be less effective. I mentioned that it's unfortunate that we live in a county that is in nonattainment air quality, as designated by the U.S. EPA, as I'm sure that affects his breathing. She asked me what I was talking about, because to her, especially since we live near the woods, our air quality seems fine.
I told her about a map I've known about for years that shows which of the 88 counties in Ohio are in nonattainment air quality for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can greatly impact people with asthma. I emailed her the map this morning, with a three-page fact sheet explaining what nonattainment means for the public health, and refreshed my knowledge of the map. Unfortunately, Cuyahoga County, where we both live, is landlocked by six other counties all in nonattainment air quality.
I'm a runner and I have to hit my inhaler right before my run every other day to prevent an asthma attack. I'm certainly feeling fortunate today that the Obama Administration mandated that the U.S. EPA finally implement these historic standards, as ordered by Congress more than 20 years ago with the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The U.S. EPA has been regulating most industries to improve air quality except for the biggest polluters, including coal-fired power plants.
Since Ohio gets nearly 90 percent of its electricity from the burning of coal, these regulations should have a major impact on our air quality.
According to the U.S. EPA, the standards passed yesterday will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks a year, and protect American children by preventing 130,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 6,300 fewer cases of acute bronchitis each year.
Boy can I relate to this. My 12-year old son who started cross country last fall has been continuing to stay in shape and run into the winter. Recently, after some of his runs, his breathing has been shortened and shows signs of exercised-induced asthma. It will be great when these standards prevent 130,000 cases of childhood asthma as I'm sure my son falls into this category. There's no doubt that these standards are going to save the American people a significant amount of money in healthcare costs.
My thanks goes out to the Obama Administration for following through with these standards to protect human health and the environment.