Can I use house plants to improve my home's indoor air quality?
There is data and research on the value of outdoor plantings and the positive effect on air quality through natural transpiration. It would seem that the same would be true of indoor plants, if well maintained, both in terms of overall humidity levels, and in terms of potential CO2 reduction and biofiltration.
Answer
NASA did a study in conjunction with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA, now PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network) that showed that yes,
- indoor plants not only absorb CO2 and release oxygen, but they also
- scrub the air of pollutants commonly found indoors from our carpeting, paints, and cleaning products.
Common household products can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gases that pollute indoor air. Paint, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, glues and adhesives all contain VOCs. Breathing these compounds causes symptoms that range from allergic reactions to respiratory tract irritation to more serious conditions like cancer.
There are now paints, carpeting products, and indoor cleaners that have low or no VOCs. Regardless, NASA found that a house plant for every 50 feet will help reduce VOCs and improve home air quality.
The top air scrubbers found by NASA are listed below (this plant list came from Zone10.com):
- Bamboo palm, Chamaedorea seifritzii
- Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema modestum
- English ivy, Hedera helix
- Gerbera daisy, Gerbera jamesonii
- Janet Craig, Dracaena "Janet Craig"
- Marginata, Dracaena marginata
- Mass cane/Corn plant, Dracaena massangeana
- Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Sansevieria laurentii
- Pot mum, Chrysantheium morifolium
- Peace lily, Spathiphyllum
- Warneckii, Dracaena "Warneckii"
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I have a bunch of plants inside and I love them... but it's not a cut and dry issue of whether they help IAQ. Plants come with pollen and dirt that people may be sensitive to. And increased humidity can lead to mold.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Daniels comment:
ReplyDelete+)I wouldn't worry about Air Quality concerns with the Added Moisture unless a Small Nursery was located inside a Home.
+)The Latest and Greatest HVAC systems utilize a Moisture Sensor that either adds moisture or Removes moisture content from a Home. A small percentage of Moisture is welcome in a home and improves the HVAC systems efficiency and the general well being of a Home and its occupants. [I will contact my preferred HVAC installer and find out the suggested moisture content of a Proper HVAC system and will post the information as a follow up to this page.]
+)While living in Tucson, Arizona for 4 years I learned that= to slow the evaporation of water from the Planter Pots- Utilize a Mulch in the Top Layer of the Planter Pots. I've seen many variables of Mulch for indoor plants that are both Function-able and Decorative.
+) As Far As the Pollen and Dirt: I think having Plants in a Home has more benefits than has deterrence's. (If pollen and dirt are a worry consult your Medical Professional for their suggestions. (There is also many Fake Plants that look just like Real Plants for those who cannot have Real Plants, but still desire the Ambiance that house plants bring to a Home-Fake plants also require less care)
+)Plants make a home feel welcome and add ambiance while accenting the individual's tastes and design features.
Build Green-Scotty