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Houseplants to
Fight Pollution
Peart, Virginia
Houseplants under some conditions can
effectively remove benzene, formaldehyde, CO and nitrogen oxides (undesirable
products of burning tobacco and wood). In a NASA research project, Spider
plants were placed in closed chambers with 120 ppm carbon monoxide (CO) or 50
ppm nitrogen oxide (NO2).
After 24 hours, spider plants removed:
96% CO, 99% NO2 After 24 hours, Golden pothos
removed: 75% CO A second research project conducted through NASA and
the Associated Landscape Contractors of America screened house plants for the
removal of Benzene, Trichlorethylene and Formaldehyde. Plants used include
Bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, English ivy, Ficus, Gerbera daisy, Janet
Craig, Marginata, Mass cane/Corn cane, Mother-in-law's tongue, Peace lily, Pot
mum and Warneckei. The results of these tests suggest:
- Low-light-requiring houseplants with
activated carbon plant filters have potential for improving indoor air
quality.
- The plant root-zone is effective area
for removing volatile organic chemicals. (Maximum air exposure to plant
root-soil area for best air filtration.
- Use of activated carbon filter should
be a part of the houseplant/air cleaning plan.
Additional research conducted through NASA
Laboratories indicates other plants can assist in reducing indoor air
contaminants in certain conditions. They are listed in descending order of
effectiveness.
- Heart leaf philodendron
- Elephant ear philodendron
- Green spider plant
- Lacy tree philodendron
- Aloe vera
- Golden pothos
- Chinese evergreen
- Mini-scheffle
- Peperomia
- Peace lily
The most effective plants to use in
removing pollutants like formaldehyde are those with a large leaf surface
area.
- Heart-leaf philodendron (philodendron
scandens)
- Elephant ear philodendron (philodendron
domesticum)
- Green spider plant (chlorphytum
elatum)
- Lacy tree philodendron (philodendron
selloum)
- Golden pothos (epipremnum aureum)
- Chinese evergreen (aglonema
modestum)
- Mini-Schefflera (bassaia
arboricola)
- Peperomia (peperomia obtusifolia)
- Peace lily (spathiphyllum
clevelandii)
- Corn plant (dracaena fragrans 'massangeana')
- Snake plant (sansevieria
traifasciata)
Careful selection of indoor plants is
necessary if anyone suffers from exposure to molds pollens, odors or dust.
Remember also, houseplants add moisture to the environment. All the
water used on the plants goes into the air. This is a plus in dry parts of the
country or during dry times of the year. In Florida each gallon of water added
for watering plants will require about 3.5 Kwh of electricity to remove. If
moisture and mildew problems are being experienced in a home or office, plants
can have negative energy and comfort effects; and can also increase moisture
and mildew problems. Before considering the use of plants to control indoor
air pollution:
- Identify contaminants that are above
the Threshold Limit Value.
- Control source of pollution.
- Check structure for air leakage and
correct.
- Check for the proper design, use, and
maintenance of HVAC systems.
REFERENCES
Barner, P.A. The Sick Home.
Educational Program. Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension. 1990. Horticultural
Abstracts, 56(12) Abstract-9873. December, 1986 and Garden Supply
Retailer, April, 1989.
Footnotes
1. This document is
Fact Sheet HE 3208, a series of the Home Economics Department, Florida
Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences,
University of Florida. Publication date: April 1993. This document was
originally published as IAQ-14 in February 1992.
Florida Cooperative Extension Service /
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences / University of Florida / Christine
Taylor Waddill, Dean
Disclaimer
The use of trade names in this publication is
solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not
guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this
publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of
suitable composition.
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to Fight Pollution
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