Beyond Aesthetics: Harnessing Indoor Plants to Combat Sick Building Syndrome and Indoor Air Pollution

Shubham

Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, Kurukshetra, India.

Abstract

Indoor air pollution, characterised by elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), and inorganic gases, poses a serious threat to the well-being of individuals, contributing to sick building syndrome (SBS) and reduced cognitive function. This review paper explores the efficacy of indoor plants as a sustainable solution for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) through phytoremediation. The paper synthesises research demonstrating that plants, along with their root-zone microorganisms, act as a dynamic bio-filters, actively absorbing, degrading, and removing a wide spectrum of indoor air pollutants. The review also highlights the multi-faceted benefits of indoor plants, including their role in regulating humidity, reducing airborne microbes, enhancing psychological well-being, and enhancing cognitive performance of the individual in indoor spaces. Further, they can also be integrated with bio-systems and can act as enhanced bio-filters for indoor air pollution. While challenges and future research directions are acknowledged, the study concludes that integrating plants into indoor spaces offers a cost-effective, sustainable, and holistic strategy for creating healthier and more productive indoor environments

Keywords: Indoor air pollution; plants; phytoremediation; indoor air quality (IAQ); sick building syndrome (SBS); bio-filters

References

1. Aydogan, A. and Montoya, L.D. (2011) ‘Formaldehyde removal by common indoor plant species and various growing media’, Atmospheric Environment, 45(16), pp. 2675-2682.
2. Berg, J. (2002) ‘Effect of healthy workplaces on well-being and productivity of office workers’, Proceedings of International Plants for People Symposium, Floriade, Amsterdam, NL.
3. Bhargava, B., Malhotra, S., Chandel, A., Rakwal, A., Kashwap, R.R. and Kumar, S. (2020) ‘Mitigation of indoor air pollutants using areca palm potted plants in real-life settings’, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(7), pp. 8898-8906.
4. Costa, P.R. and James, R.W. (1999) ‘Air conditioning and noise control using vegetation’, Proceedings of the 8^th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, 3, pp. 234-239.
5. Coward, M., Ross, D., Coward, S., Cayless, S. and Raw, G. (1996) ‘Pilot study to assess the impact of green plants on NO₂ levels in homes’, Building Research Establishment Note N154/96, Watford, UK.
6. Deswal, S. (2024) ‘Improving indoor air quality and aesthetics in an economical and environment-friendly way by utilizing decorative indoor plants’, Journal of Technology, 12(7), pp. 624-635.
7. El-Tanbouly, R., Hassan, Z. and El-Messeiry, S. (2021), ‘The role of indoor plants in air purification and human health in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: a proposal for a novel line of inquiry’, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 8, pp. 1-13.
8. Fjeld, T. (2002) ‘The effects of plants and artificial daylight on the well-being and health of office workers, school children and health-care personnel’, Proceedings of International Plants for People Symposium, Floriade, Amsterdam, NL.
9. Hashim, N.H., Teh, E.J. and Rosli, M. A. (2019) ‘A dynamic botanical air purifier (DBAP) with activated carbon root-bed for reducing indoor carbon dioxide levels’, IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 373(1), 012022.
10. Hörmann, V., Brenske, K.R. and Ulrichs, C. (2017) ‘Suitability of test chambers for analyzing air pollutant removal by plants and assessing potential indoor air purification’, Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 228, 402.
11. Kumari, J. and Deswal, S. (2017) ‘Assessment of air pollution tolerance index of selected plants unveil to traffic roads of Noida, Uttar Pradesh’, International Journal on Emerging Technologies, 8(1), pp. 179-184.
12. Lee, J.H. and Sim, W.K. (1999) ‘Biological absorption of SO₂ by Korean native indoor species’, Contributions from International People-Plant Symposium, Sydney, pp. 101-108.
13. Liu, K.L., Xu, S., Xuan, W., Ling, T.F., et al. (2007) ‘Carbon monoxide counteracts the inhibition of seed germination and alleviates oxidative damage caused by salt stress in Oryza sativa’, Plant Science, 172(3), pp. 544-555.
14. Lohr, V.I. and Pearson-Mims, C.H. (1996) ‘Particulate matter accumulation on horizontal surfaces in interiors: influence of foliage plants’, Atmospheric Environment, 30, pp. 2565-2568.
15. Li, D., Wang, H., Gao, Q. and Lu, M. (2024), ‘Study on the ability of indoor plants to absorb and purify benzene pollution’, Sci. Rep., 14, 13169.
16. Selvan, N., Balasubramani, G. and Pradeep, P. (2023) ‘Systemic review on indoor plants as an alternative technique for reducing indoor air pollutants,’ Journal of Xidian University, 17(11), pp. 1074-1083.
17. Sarker, M.M., Sammy, H., Khan, M. and Akhtar, N. (2022) ‘Modeling to reduce the indoor air pollution in Dhaka: an evidence from randomized experiment of NASA recommended plants’, International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 12(2), pp. 84-92.
18. Soni, P. and Gawri, S. (2024), ‘Study on the role of plants in air purification and some anti pollutant plants’, International Journal of Contemporary Research in Multidisciplinary, 3(3), pp. 101-105.
19. Su, Y.M. and Lin, C.H. (2015) ‘Removal of indoor carbon dioxide and formaldehyde using green walls by bird nest fern’, The Horticulture Journal, 84(1), pp. 69-76.
20. Tan, H., Wong, K.Y., Kek, H.Y., Lee, K.Q., et al. (2022) ‘Small-scale botanical in enhancing indoor air quality: A bibliometric analysis (2011-2020) and short review’, Progress in Energy and Environment, 19(1), pp. 13-37.
21. Tarran, J., Torpy, F. and Burchett, M. (2007), ‘Use of living pot-plants to cleanse indoor air – research review’, Proceedings of 6^th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation and Energy Conservation in Buildings – Sustainable Built Environment, 29-31 Oct, Sendai, Japan, 3, p.249-256.
22. Ullah, H., Treesubsuntorn, C. and Thiravetyan, P. (2021) ‘Enhancing mixed toluene and formaldehyde pollutant removal by Zamioculcas zamiifolia combined with Sansevieria trifasciata and its CO₂ emission’, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, pp. 538-546.
23. Wolverton, B.C., Johnson, A. and Bounds, K. (1989) ‘Interior landscape plants for indoor air pollution abatement’, NASA Stennis Space Centre MS, USA.
24. Yoneyama, T., Kim, H.Y., Morikawa, H. and Srivastava, H.S. (2002) ‘Metabolism and detoxification of nitrogen dioxide and ammonia in plants’, In: Air Pollution and Plant Biotechnology – Prospects for Phytomonitoring and Phytoremediation; Omasa, K., Saji, H., et al. Tokyo, Japan: Springer.