Reduction of Harmful Air Pollution: Potential Ability of Different Plant Species to Remove Particulate Matter From Indoor Air
Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: Particulate matter (PM), consisting of inorganic and organic particles 10 microns or smaller in diameter, can negatively impact human health, leading to increased heart and lung problems.Since humans spend up to 90% of their lives indoors, a reduction in levels of PM, especially in indoor environments, is important to promote human health.This study investigated the ability of different house plant species in laboratory offices to reduce total airborne PM accumulation and to affect bacterial and fungal components of PM.Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother in Law's Tongue), Ficus robusta (Rubber Plant), Chamaedorea seifrizii (Bamboo Palm), Dracaena deremensis "Janet Craig" (Dracaena), and an artificial ivy species were used for two experiments, in which air was sampled during 72 hour increments.For Experiment 1, PM effects were measured and compared across three treatments: rooms containing either a combination of living plants, artificial plants or no plants.Experiment 2 compared the effects of each living plant species individually.In both experiments, living and artificial plants did not significantly affect total PM accumulation, but increased bacterial counts and fungal growth were observed in the presence of Dracaena deremensis "Janet Craig" and Sansevieria trifasciata respectively.Since the study was performed in an older building (35 years old) in which high particulate variation took place, plant effects may have been difficult to discern.Future studies must continue to investigate means of reducing PM to promote cleaner indoor and outdoor air and improve human health.
Author: David T. Moerlein
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2237395545