Indoor pollutants formed from inanimate and living objects include Ozone, Toluene, Xylene, Formaldehyde, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Ammonia, and other hydrocarbons. Several indoor plant species may be able to remove the gaseous volatile organic compounds. Three common indoor houseplants, Sansevieria trifasciata, Chlorophytum comosum, and Epipremnum aureum, were evaluated for their species effectiveness in reducing ozone concentrations in a Continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) chambers housed within a greenhouse equipped with a charcoal filtration air supply system were used to simulate an indoor environment in which ozone concentrations could be measured and regulated. Ozone was injected into the chambers and when concentrations reached 200 ± 5 ppb, ozone depletion rates were higher within chambers that contained plants than within control chambers without plants, but there were no plant species differences. “Spider plants have been reported to filter off 95% carbon monoxide and 85% formaldehyde from air within 24 h As per the scientists, a pot of A. vera is superior to nine air purifiers. Under 24 h light illumination, it can expel 90% of the formaldehyde, xylene, dust, and harmful microbes in the air. It can absorb pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde which are the byproducts of paint and chemical-based industrial products. It can also filter ethylbenzene and toluene that contaminate air”.
Author(s) Details:
Manju Madhavan
Department of Botany, St. Mary’s College, Thrissur, 680 020, India.
Abisha, AV
Department of Botany, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, 680 009, India.
Leen Babu
Department of Botany, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, 680 009, India.
Liyana K
Department of Botany, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, 680 009, India.
Sanjana Chacko
Department of Botany, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, 680 009, India.
Soniya A
Department of Botany, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, 680 009, India.
Sheeja T Tharakan
Department of Botany, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, 680 009, India.
Recent Global Research Developments on Air Purification by Indoor and Outdoor Plants
Phytoremediation Potential of Indoor Plants:
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- A review article published in Frontiers in Sustainable Cities discusses the role of indoor plants in improving indoor air quality (IAQ) by reducing air pollutants [1].
- Humans spend 80–90% of their time indoors, and poor IAQ can lead to health issues. Phytoremediation, which involves using plants to absorb, adsorb, assimilate, or transfer/reduce air pollutants, is a promising strategy.
- Various plant species (such as Ficus benjamina, Chlorophytum comosum, and Dracaena) or their parts (roots, leaves, wax, cuticle, and stomata) can effectively reduce indoor air pollutants.
- Indoor plants offer an eco-friendly option for air purification with minimal energy consumption.
Current State of Indoor Air Phytoremediation:
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- A literature review covers publications on the removal of indoor air pollutants using plants. It highlights research from databases like ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science [2].
Recent Advances in Biological Systems for Indoor Air Quality Improvement:
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- This study focuses on biological indoor air purification methods as a ‘green’ alternative to physical-chemical methods. It emphasizes the potential benefits for indoor environment quality, energy savings, and well-being [3].
Indoor Phytoremediation: A State-of-the-Art Review:
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- Over the last decade, research has demonstrated the removal of gaseous contaminants through indoor phytoremediation. This technology relies on plant material and technologies to remediate contaminated air streams [4].
References
- Indoor Air
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/ina - Ravindra K and Mor S (2022) Phytoremediation potential of indoor plants in reducing air pollutants. Front. Sustain. Cities 4:1039710. doi: 10.3389/frsc.2022.1039710
- Kraakman, N.J.R., González-Martín, J., Pérez, C. et al. Recent advances in biological systems for improving indoor air quality. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 20, 363–387 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-021-09569-x
- Matheson, S., Fleck, R., Irga, P.J. et al. Phytoremediation for the indoor environment: a state-of-the-art review. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 22, 249–280 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-023-09644-5
