House Plant with Rabbit DNA Cuts Air Pollution
Common Devil's Ivy Household Plant, with a Dash of Rabbit DNA, Cleans Indoor Air Source: Stock Image of Devil's Ivy Cuts Benzene and Chloroform Levels University of Washington scientists inserted a rabbit gene in the Devil's Ivy household plant and the result is somewhat miraculous. The plants clean the surrounding air by breaking down chemicals like chloroform and benzene. At certain levels, those chemicals can harm your health. Unhealthy A ir The chemicals enter the house from everyday activities like opening a window, smoking and using chlorinated water. The rabbit gene breaks down a range of chemicals. The scientists' results are dramatic. They put the altered plants in vials with benzene and chloroform. The chloroform was barely detectable after 6 days. The benzene was 75% gone in 8 days. New Technology The University of Washington team foresee a new piece of technology for the home. A "biofilter" loaded with the...