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Absorbing
Agents:
1)
Outdoor and indoor 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.
Polluting
Agents:
1)
With new
technological developments and energy efficient attitudes of
the nineties, buildings are striving to be as airtight as
possible, creating excellent conditions for bacterial and viral
growth as well as accumulative effects of all indoors borne
toxins. The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that sick
buildings cause an estimated loss of $61 billion per year in
employee absenteeism, medical costs, reduced productivity, and
lower earnings.
2)
The term "sick
building syndrome" (SBS) 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, however with no specific causes
identified. Therefore in the body of this page we call
it SBS.
3)
Biofilters
SOURCES:
1)
Prescod,
A.W. (1992). More indoor plants as air purifiers. Pappus, 11:4;
2)United
States Environmental Protection Agency (1991). Sick building
syndrome. Air and Radiation, Indoor Air Facts, 4
3)
Wolverton, B.C. (1990). Interior Landscape Plants and Their
Role in Improving Indoor Air Quality. Wolverton Environmental
Services Inc., Picayune, Mississippi.
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Last Update 2006