Sick Interior
Environments
Sources of Indoor
Air Pollution
How Plants Clean Air
Air Purifying Plants
| With new technological developments and energy efficient attitudes of the nineties, buildings are becoming airtight cesspools of germs and toxins. Building occupants may experience symptoms of acute discomfort. The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that sick buildings cause an estimated loss of $61 billion a year in employee absenteeism, medical costs, reduced productivity, and lower earnings. The term "sick building syndrome" is used to describe the occurrence of acute health and comfort effects experienced by the building occupants; these effects appear to relate to the time spent in the building and no specific cause or illness can be identified. |
| The National Aeronautics and Space Administration studies on indoor landscape plants and their role in improving indoor air quality included reports on toxins common to the interior environment, specifically benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. |
| Pollutant | Sources | Effects on Humans |
| Benzene A commonly used solvent, also found in fuels. |
Inks, oils, paints, plastics, rubber, gasoline, detergents, pharmaceuticals, dyes, tobacco smoke and synthetic fibres. | Skin and eye irritation (including drying, inflammation, blistering and dermatitis), dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, blurred vision, respiratory problems, tremors, irregular heartbeat, liver and kidney damage, loss of appetite, drowsiness, nervousness, psychological disturbances, diseases of the blood system and carcinogenicity. |
| Formaldehyde A disinfectant, preservative, and curing agent. |
Particle board, pressed wood, foam insulation, paper bags, waxed papers, facial tissues, stiffeners and wrinkle resisters, water repellents, fire retardants, binders in floor coverings, carpet backing, permanent press clothes, natural gas, kerosene and cigarette smoke. | Irritation of mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat, allergic contact dermatitis, respiratory problems, eye irritation, headaches, asthma and carcinogenicity to the throat. |
| Trichloroethylene A commercial product for industrial use. |
Metal degreasers, dry cleaners, printing inks, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives. | Potent carcinogenicity to the liver. |
| Plants have proven to be important life supporters in that they remove carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. The NASA studies found that plants also work in a symbiotic relationship to remove air pollutants produced by other plants, people and industry. Trace chemicals in the atmosphere are absorbed and biodegraded by plant leaves and roots, the soil, and micro-organisms. Virtually every tropical foliage and flowering plant works to remove pollutants from the interior environment, and particular plants are better at removing certain toxins. The studies found that one potted plant per 100 square feet of floor space can help clean the air in the average home or office, although the addition of more plants would increase the rate of pollutant removal. |
| The following list of plants typically used in the interior environment outlines the plants found to be most effective in air purification, based on the NASA studies. |
| Plant Name | Toxins Removed |
| Aechmea fasciata Bromeliad |
Excellent for formaldehyde and xylene |
| Aglaonema modestum Chinese Evergreen |
Excellent for benzene and toluene |
| Aloe vera Aloe |
Excellent for formaldehyde |
| Chamaedorea seifrizii Bamboo Palm |
Excellent for benzene and formaldehyde |
| Chlorophytum elatum Spider Plant |
Excellent for carbon monoxide and formaldehyde |
| Chrysanthemum morifolium Pot Mum |
Excellent for trichloroethylene, good for benzene and formaldehyde |
| Dendrobium Orchid |
Excellent for acetone, ammonia, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methyl alcohol, formaldehyde and xylene |
| Dieffenbachia maculata Dumbcane |
Good for formaldehyde |
| Dracaena deremensis "Janet
Craig" Janet Craig |
Excellent for benzene and trichloroethylene. |
| Dracaena deremensis
"Warneckii" Warneckii |
Excellent for benzene and trichloroethylene, good for formaldehyde |
| Dracaena marginata Madagascar Dragon Tree |
Excellent for benzene, good for formaldehyde and trichloroethylene |
| Dracaena massangeana Mass Cane |
Excellent for formaldehyde |
| Epipremnum aureum Golden Pothos |
Excellent for carbon monoxide and benzene, good for formaldehyde |
| Euphorbia pulcherima Poinsettia |
Excellent for formaldehyde |
| Ficus benjamina Weeping Fig |
Good for formaldehyde |
| Gerbera jamesonii Gerbera Daisy |
Excellent for benzene and trichloroethylene, good for formaldehyde |
| Guzmania "Cherry" Bromeliad |
Excellent for formaldehyde and xylene |
| Hedera helix English Ivy |
Excellent for benzene, good for formaldehyde and trichloroethylene |
| Liriope muscari
"Variegata" Variegated Lily-turf |
Excellent for formaldehyde |
| Musa oriana Banana |
Excellent for formaldehyde |
| Neoregelia carolinae
"Perfecta Tricolor" Bromeliad |
Good for xylene |
| Peperomia obtusifolia Peperomia |
Good for formaldehyde |
| Phalaenopsis Orchid |
Excellent for formaldehyde and xylene |
| Philodendron domesticum Elephant Ear Philodendron |
Excellent for formaldehyde |
| Philodendron oxycardium Heart Leaf Philodendron |
Excellent for formaldehyde |
| Philodendron selloum Lacy Tree Philodenron |
Excellent for formaldehyde |
| Rhododendron indicum Azalea |
Good for formaldehyde |
| Sansevieria trifasciata
"Laurentii" Mother-in-law’s Tongue |
Excellent for benzene and formaldehyde, good for trichloroethylene |
| Schefflera arboricola Miniature Umbrella Plant |
Good for benzene, formaldehyde and toluene |
| Spathiphyllum "Mauna
Loa" Peace Lily |
Excellent for benzene and trichloroethylene, good for formaldehyde |
| Syngonium podophyllum Arrowhead Plant |
Good for formaldehyde |
| Tradescantia sillamontana Oyster Plant |
Good for formaldehyde |
References
Prescod,
A.W. (1992). More indoor plants as air purifiers. Pappus, 11:4.
United
States Environmental Protection Agency (1991). Sick building
syndrome. Air and Radiation, Indoor Air Facts, 4.
Wolverton, B.C. (1990). Interior Landscape Plants and Their Role in Improving Indoor Air Quality. Wolverton Environmental Services Inc., Picayune, Mississippi.