Peace and Environment News* June 1995
|
Peace and Environment News * June 1995 |
by Irene Brownstein
 Indoor air purification system combining houseplants and activated carbon. |
Houseplants may help to reduce indoor air pollution, according to a two-year study by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The study, run jointly with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, exposed houseplants in sealed chambers to four common indoor air pollutants. According to the results, the Gerbera daisy was best at removing benzene and tricholoethylene (TCE). English ivy, Peace lily, Sansevieria, Chinese evergreen, and Schefflera were also very effective. The Banana plant was best at removing formaldehyde, and Sansevieria and English ivy were runners up. Spider plants were best at removing carbon monoxide.
The plants removed more pollutants if the lower leaves were taken off so as to provide maximum contact between the soil-root area—a major sink for pollutants—and the polluted air.
The study also tried surrounding plant roots with an activated carbon filter. A fan was used to rapidly move large volumes of polluted air through the filter. The carbon absorbed the pollutants, which were then used as food by bacteria on the plant roots.
A new trend is to grow plants hydroponically in expanded clay pebbles, without soil. Plants grown this way have equal or greater capacity to remove indoor air pollutants, and they do not develop problems with mold.
Dr. B.C. Wolverton, one of the researchers in the study, believes that indoor plants can provide a viable solution to the problem of indoor air pollution. Dr. Wolverton was originally involved in developing ways of using aquatic plants to treat domestic sewage and industrial wastewater. Aquatic plants are now being widely used for wastewater treatment in the U.S.
Converted July 7, 2000 - Lg
To follow up on this article, contact the author or the organizations/individuals mentioned; do not contact the Peace and Environment Resource Centre - we cannot provide follow up or contact information. This article is an archival copy of the printed one in the Peace and Environment News (PEN). Viewpoints expressed should not be taken to represent the opinions of the Peace and Environment Resource Centre, the PEN, or our supporters.
