A Comprehensive Review of Phytoremediation Potential of Indoor Decorative Plants in Controlling Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) of Microenvironments and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Surinder Deswal¹, Anupama Deswal²

¹ Professor, Civil Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, Kurukshetra, India.

² Independant Researcher, Kurukshetra, India. 

Abstract

Indoor air pollution (IAP) has emerged as a critical global health concern, especially since people in modern societies spend approximately 70-90% of their time indoors. Studies show that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, leading to a range of health issues, including ischaemic heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, and lung cancer. The World Health Organization attributed 3.2 million premature deaths to IAP in 2020 alone. Common sources of indoor pollutants include building materials, furnishings, combustion appliances, biological contaminants, and electronic equipment. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) describes a set of non-specific symptoms experienced by occupants of poorly ventilated buildings, which often alleviate after leaving the space. While conventional control methods rely on ventilation and air filtration systems, these are often costly, energy-intensive, and require careful maintenance. This review paper explores the potential of phytoremediation using common indoor decorative plants as a natural, sustainable, and cost-effective strategy for improving indoor air quality (IAQ). Various plant species have demonstrated the ability to absorb, degrade, or neutralize volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and even electromagnetic radiation. The paper synthesizes findings from NASA and other research organizations, presenting a comprehensive summary of effective plant species, their mechanisms of action, and practical guidelines for their use in homes and workplaces. The review concludes that integrating indoor plants offers a multifaceted solution for controlling IAP while providing psychological and physiological benefits to building occupants.      

Keywords: Indoor air pollution (IAP), Phytoremediation, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), Indoor decorative plants, Indoor air quality (IAQ), Biofiltration, Environmental health

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