INDOOR AIR CAN BE REALLY UNHEALTHY

It’s hard to fathom, but the air we breathe indoors may contain 10 times more pollutants than outdoor air. Synthetic materials in our modern, energy-efficient buildings and in our furniture can emit various organic compounds that react together, creating toxins that cause coughs, eye irritation, sinus problems and feelings of moodiness. There’s even a name for this: sick building syndrome. The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that almost a third of new and remodelled buildings around the world have poor air quality.

NASA has invested heavily in researching this phenomenon, as venturing into space obviously involves living in small, unventilated areas packed with modern technology – a recipe for toxic air. In one study NASA found that plants were “the most promising means of alleviating sick building syndrome”. They discovered that microorganisms in the soil biodegrade toxic chemicals when activated by a plant’s root growth.