Our immediate environment exposes us to poisonous substances that we are not always aware of. Substances like plastics, paints, building materials, dyes, older types of solvents, adhesives, detergents, fabrics, and cosmetics. These substances have volatile toxins in them that sometimes get into the air we breathe. Benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and ammonia are afew common examples. Toxins like these cause weakness, dizziness, headaches, and irritation of the mucous membranes in the nose, eyes, throat, and respiratory tract. NASA has been studying indoor plants for many years to identify the species that are most effective at removing these toxins from the air. Here are a few of the most powerful ones.