Plant/Soil Capacities to Remove Harmful Substances From Polluted Indoor Air (original) (raw)
Related papers
2014
Background: Formaldehyde, acetone, and styrene are three volatile organic compounds (VOCs) shown to cause serious health effects. This study sought to determine the health effects and levels of these VOCs and determined if their levels decreased after the addition of indoor plants. Methods: Two offices were tested in a newer building and two offices were tested in an older building. The chemical levels were tested before plants were added and were retested after plants were added at four and six weeks. Results: In the new building, formaldehyde increased by the fourth week, but decreased by the sixth week, while acetone decreased by the fourth week and increased by the sixth week. In the older building, acetone increased by the fourth week and decreased by the sixth week. Formaldehyde decreased by the fourth week and increased by the sixth week. No styrene was found in any office at any time. Conclusion: Employees may become exposed to VOCs in office buildings. As healthcare provide...
Review of the effects of plants on indoor environments
Indoor and Built Environment, 2020
Although well-established technologies can remove certain toxins from indoor environments, methods capable of eliminating all of them do not yet exist. Biological methods, however, which are based on plants and their associated microorganisms, could hold significant promise. To achieve high toxic remediation, utilization of the soil microorganisms in the root zone of the plant is vital. Moreover, evidence suggests that in addition to cleaning the air, plants in indoor environments offer psychological, physiological and cognitive benefits. This paper provides an overview of the effects of plants on indoor air quality on the broader benefits of incorporating vegetation into indoor environments.
Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health
Environmental pollution, especially indoor air pollution, has become a global issue and affects nearly all domains of life. Being both natural and anthropogenic substances, indoor air pollutants lead to the deterioration of the ecosystem and have a negative impact on human health. Cost-effective plant-based approaches can help to improve indoor air quality (IAQ), regulate temperature, and protect humans from potential health risks. Thus, in this review, we have highlighted the common indoor air pollutants and their mitigation through plant-based approaches. Potted plants, green walls, and their combination with bio-filtration are such emerging approaches that can efficiently purify the indoor air. Moreover, we have discussed the pathways or mechanisms of phytoremediation, which involve the aerial parts of the plants (phyllosphere), growth media, and roots along with their associated microorganisms (rhizosphere). In conclusion, plants and their associated microbial communities can be key solutions for reducing indoor air pollution. However, there is a dire need to explore advanced omics technologies to get in-depth knowledge of the molecular mechanisms associated with plant-based reduction of indoor air pollutants.
People spend most of their time indoors, and prolonged exposure to pollution can harm their health. The degradation of indoor air quality (IAQ) has raised serious issues. Botanical biofilters are an exciting solution for lowering indoor air pollution. However, plants cultivated inside under low light intensity (10–50 µ mole PAR m− 2 s− 1) generate CO2 in the indoor atmosphere. Combining C3 and CAM plants may be able to address this problem by lowering CO2 emission levels and enhancing the efficiency of pollution removal by removing the primary indoor air pollutants from actual interior settings, including Carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). As a result, a successful botanical biofilter made of several plants was researched. Indoor plants can phytoremediate a variety of indoor contaminants. However, just a few studies have demonstrated its efficacy in practical contexts. Due to the harsh winter,...
Indoor Ecosystem Services: Impacts of Plants on Air Quality
Contemporary Agriculture, 2019
Summary Ecosystem services have been the focus of recent research on ecology, biodiversity and human health. As most of this research has placed emphasis on natural ecosystems, there is a lack of data on the effect of indoor and urban ecosystems on both human health and the quality of human life. One of the most common health issues associated with urban and indoor spaces is the quality of air. Considering that humans spend most of their time indoors, accompanied by a lack of fresh air due to industry growth and environmental degradation, there is an obvious need for a non-invasive and non-obtrusive air purification system. This paper presents the results of the indoor air quality monitoring under non-controlled conditions, i.e. the changes in air quality induced by the common indoor ornamental plant Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’. The following air quality parameters were observed: the relative humidity and temperature of air, as well as the concentrations of carbon-dioxide, m...
Impact of living plants on the indoor air quality in a large modern building
2016
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of living plants in enhancing the indoor air quality (IAQ) and the general indoor environment within a large modern open-plan office building with a central atrium design and a building management system (BMS) in place. Poor indoor air quality was measured within the building, primarily due to the low relative humidity during the winter months. Previous literature suggests that the incorporation of plants in buildings helps to regulate relative humidity whilst also bringing perceptual benefits and potentially reducing short-term sickness absence. The investigation was developed through quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative element involved the use of experimental and control zones within the building, selected on the basis of orientation, user density and users' work roles. Plants were selected based on the transpiration rates of various commercially-available species. Relative humidity was continuously monitored ...
Possibilities of Improving Indoor Air Quality in Classrooms through Plants
Today, people spend almost 90% of their lives in indoor spaces. Air quality in these spaces affects people's health and performance directly. Oxygen amount decreases and carbon dioxide amount increases as a result of human respiration especially in common areas. As these spaces are not ventilated enough in winter months so as not to cause loss of heat, oxygen gradually decreases there. As a result, fatigue, absence of perception, and sleepiness occur. When they continue, various health problems emerge.Plants which share the same environments as people photosynthesize or respire depending on ambient conditions, especially light and temperature. In this way, they affect indoor air quality directly. However, since the degree to what plants used in indoor spaces affect indoor air quality is not known, they cannot be used for increasing indoor air quality adequately. This study aims to investigate the effects of plants such as Spathiphyllum sp., Yucca sp., Dieffenbachia sp., and Drac...
Healthy workplaces: plantscaping for indoor environmental quality
Facilities, 2011
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the indoor environmental quality benefits of plants in offices by undertaking trials using live plants.Design/methodology/approachUsing two offices in the same building, one with plants and one as a control, daily tests were undertaken for relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results were analysed to identify any differences between the office with plants and the one without.FindingsRelative humidity increased following the introduction of plants and more significantly following additional hydroculture plants being installed, taking it to within the recommended range. Carbon dioxide was slightly higher in the planted office for the majority of the trial, although there was an overall reduction in both offices. Carbon monoxide levels reduced with the introduction of plants and again with the additional plants. VOC levels were consistently lower in the non‐planted office.Research li...
Native Ornamental Potted Plants for Sustainable Improvement of Indoor Air Quality
International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences, 2020
Ornamental potted plant are often proposed as a passive approach for improving indoor air quality (IAQ). Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) enter indoor environments through internal and external sources. Indoor air concentrations of VOCs vary greatly but are generally higher than outdoors. Plants have been promoted as indoor air purifiers for decades, but reports of their effectiveness differ. The aim of this study was to determine the selective of several potted indoor and outdoor species plants which can sustain and improve indoor air quality by using the native species plants. The experimental design was a complete randomised design experiment with four replications and it was conducted at the Horticulture Research Centre laboratory. Different native ornamental potted plants species such as Eugenia sp.; Scindapsus pictus; Schismatoglottis sp.; Tradescantia pallida; Piper porphyrophyllum; Alocasia reginula; Ledebouria socialis; Peperomia sp. and Ledebouria petiolata respectively had a different significant effects on absorption of the VOCs gases. The maximum and significant absorption of potted indoor plants species tested sequently was from Ledebouria socialis; Eugenia sp.; Piper porphyrophyllum; Peperomia sp.; Scindapsus pictus; Tradescantia pallida; Ledebouria petiolata; Alocasia reginula and Schismatoglottis sp. The leaf area, having moderate function of VOCs gas absorption did not drastically reduce the VOCs gas volume. Overall, the data from the laboratory studies illustrate the potential for indoor plants leaves to be used as air purifier and indoor air VOC samplers.