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Title Use of living pot- to cleanse Indoor air – research review

Author Name Jane Tarran, Fraser Torpy, and Margaret Burchett

Journal Name Internet Confrence On ,

Year 2007

Volume and Issue 43

Pages -

Abstracts Urban indoor air quality (IAQ) is an international health issue, since dwellers spend 90% of their time indoors. Research by a number of authors is reviewed here, demonstrating a range of capacities of indoor plants to improve IAQ and promote occupant wellbeing. Our laboratory studies, with nine ‘indoor ’ species, and our ‘field’ studies in 60 offices, show that potted-plants can reliably reduce total volatile organic compound (TVOC) loads, a major class of indoor , by 75%, to below 100 ppb. They work equally well with or without air-conditioning, and in light or dark. An evaluation of these studies is presented, plus novel research showing that potted-plants can also remove indoor CO and, sometimes, CO2. The evidence overall clearly shows that the potted- plant microcosm represents an innovative technology for solving indoor air , which can otherwise cause a range of adverse health effects, including ‘building-related illness’. This portable, flexible, attractive, low-cost technology can complement any engineering measures and can be used in any building. To ensure of the urban environment, satisfying the ‘triple bottom line’ of environmental, social and economic considerations, indoor plants can be expected to become standard technology for improving IAQ - a vital building installation element. Keywords VOC, indoor air, IAQ, indoor plant, pollution reduction

Title Interior plants for sustainable facility and Workplace Author Name Margaret Burchett, Fraser Torpy & Jane Tarran

Journal Name Plants and Indoor Environmental Quality Group

Year 2008 Volume and Issue -

Pages -

Abstracts (i.e. humans in their relationships with the environment) has a history extending up to two million years. Our species has continued to be biologically well adapted to ‘’ as we have encountered it over that period. We are reliant on plants for everything we need - from to shelter, and also, (unknown to our ancestors) plants supply our oxygen, and are the sink for . Our ancestors also recognised an essential role for plants in providing pleasure, perfumes, peace, piety and glimpses of ‘paradise’. We still have the same requirements as our forebears. In contrast, the increasingly rapid growth of modern has been only over the last two hundred years. How well adapted are we to our new, urban ecology? I propose that ‘greening the great indoors’ with living plants is an important element in enabling sustainable urban communities of the future, since such communities will increasingly depend on a healthy ‘indoor facility ecology’. The move to city-living has had great benefits, but at some costs to health and wellbeing. Urban is a world-wide health concern, as is indoor air quality. Urban air pollution in Sydney alone causes at least 1,400 deaths per year, and we spend 90% of the time indoors, where air is generally more polluted than outdoors. The indoor potted-lant ‘microcosm’ absorbs and degrades all types of air pollution, and is self-regulating in operation. outline our UTS laboratory and office ‘field’ studies on indoor-plant removal of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. City-dwellers also need continuing psychological links with ‘nature’. The evidence is that humans can only function ‘to the extent that they maintain a micro-environment similar to that from which they have evolved’. City mental health problems are increasing. It has been demonstrated that indoor plants aid both wellbeing and productivity of building occupants. It is expected that, in the future, along with normal fittings, indoor plants will be utilised as a portable, flexible, beautiful, useful, effective, and a relatively low-cost, standard installation to improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Hence, e.g. the Green-Star ratings from the Green Building Council for building designs that include indoor-plant installations. I presenta cost-benefit analysis for using indoor plants–clearly the savings will more than cover the costs, thus achieving a win-win situation for indoor air quality and human wellbeing, and as an essential contribution to ‘enabling sustainable communities’. Keywords Indoor plant, indoor air quality, pollution reduction, restorative environment, occupant wellbeing

Title Using Houseplants to Clean Indoor Air

Author Name Kobayashi, Kent D., Kaufman, Andrew J.Griffis, John McConnell, James Journal Name Scholar space

Year 2007

Volume and Issue 39

Pages -

Abstracts Indoor air pollution results from the release of chemical vapors and the suspension in the air of particulates such as dust and microorganisms. There are various ways to reduce indoor air pollution and improve air quality. Increasing ventilation and air exchange with the outside will help prevent the accumulation or reduce the amount of air pollutants indoors. Plants absorb volatile organic compounds from the air into their leaves and then translocate them to their root zone, where microbes break them down. While houseplants are not a “total solution” to improving indoor air quality, they should not be overlooked as an aid in creating interior spaces conducive to the health of those who occupy them. Keywords air pollution, house plants, indoor environmental quality, pollution control

Title Could Houseplants Improve Indoor air Quality in Schools?

Author Name P. N. Pegas , C. A. Alves , T. Nunes , E. F. Bate-Epey , M. Evtyugina & C. A. Pio Journal Name Journal of Toxicology and , Part A Year 2012

Volume and Issue 75, 22-23

Pages 1371-1381

Abstracts Previous studies performed by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) indicated that plants and associated microorganisms may be used to reduce indoor levels. This study investigated the ability of plants to improve indoor air quality in schools. A 9-wk intensive monitoring campaign of indoor and outdoor air pollution was carried out in 2011 in a primary school of Aveiro, Portugal. Measurements included , carbon

dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbonyls, and particulate matter (PM10) without and with plants in a classroom. PM10 samples were analyzed for the -soluble inorganic ions, as well for carbonaceous fractions. After 6 potted plants were hung from the ceiling, the mean

CO2 concentration decreased from 2004 to 1121 ppm. The total VOC average concentrations in the indoor air during periods of occupancy without and with the presence of potted plants were, 3 respectively, 933 and 249 μg/m . The daily PM10 levels in the classroom during the occupancy periods were always higher than those outdoors. The presence of potted plants likely favored a

decrease of approximately 30% in PM10 concentrations. Our findings corroborate the results of NASA studies suggesting that plants might improve indoor air and make interior breathing spaces healthier. Keywords -

Title The health effects of nonindustrial indoor air pollution

Author Name Jonathan A. Bernstein, Neil Alexis,Hyacinth Bacchus, I. Leonard Bernstein, Pat Fritz, Elliot Horner, Ning Li, Stephany Mason, Journal Name Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Year 2008

Volume and Issue 121, 3

Pages 585-591 Abstracts There is growing public awareness regarding the associated with poor indoor air quality in the home and workplace. Because Americans spend approximately 22 hours every day indoors, susceptible individuals are at much greater risk of adverse health effects from chronic low levels of exposure to indoor air pollutants over time. Along with particulate matter, gases such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ; microbial and chemical volatile organic compounds; passive smoke; and outdoor ambient air are the most common types of air pollutants encountered indoors. Keywords Indoor air pollutants, ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, health effects, volatile organic compounds, tobacco smoke, passive smoke exposure, cotinine, fungal allergens

Title The role of air pollution in asthma and other pediatric morbidities Author Name Leonardo Trasande, George D. Thurston

Journal Name Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Year 2005

Volume and Issue 11,4

Pages 689-699

Abstracts A growing body of research supports the role of outdoor air pollutants in acutely aggravating chronic diseases in children, and suggests that the pollutants may have a role in the development of these diseases. This article reviews the biologic basis of children's unique vulnerability to highly prevalent outdoor air pollutants, with

a special focus on ozone, respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 [<2.5 μm in diameter] and PM10 [<10 μm in diameter]), lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. We also summarize understanding regarding health effects and molecular mechanisms of action. Practitioners can significantly reduce morbidity in children and other vulnerable populations by advising families to minimize pollutant exposures to children with asthma, or at a broader level by educating policymakers about the need to act to reduce pollutant emissions. Management of children with asthma must expand beyond preventing exposures to agents that directly cause allergic reactions (and therefore can be diagnosed by means of skin tests) and must focus more attention on agents that cause a broad spectrum of nonspecific, generalized inflammation, such as air pollution. Keywords Asthma, particulate matter, Lead; sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, children's environmental health

Title Air pollution removal by urban trees and shrubs in the United States Author Name David J. Nowak, , Daniel E. Crane, Jack C. Stevens

Journal Name Urban & Urban Greening

Year 2006

Volume and Issue 4,3

Pages 115-123

Abstracts A modeling study using hourly meteorological and pollution concentration data from across the coterminous United States demonstrates that urban trees remove large amounts of air pollution

that consequently improve urban air quality. Pollution removal (O3, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO) varied among cities with total annual air pollution removal by US urban trees estimated at 711,000 metric tons ($3.8 billion value). Pollution removal is only one of various ways that urban trees affect air quality. Integrated studies of tree effects on air pollution reveal that management of urban tree canopy cover could be a viable strategy to improve air quality and help meet clean air standards. Keywords Air quality, Urban , , Environmental quality

Title The Heme Oxygenase/Carbon Monoxide System Is Involved in the Auxin-Induced Cucumber Adventitious Rooting Process Author Name Wei Xuan, Fu-Yuan Zhu, Sheng Xu, Ben-Kai Huang, Teng-Fang Ling, Ji-Yan Qi, Mao-Bing Ye and Wen-Biao Shen Journal Name American Society of Plant Biologists

Year 2008 Volume and Issue 148,2

Pages 881-893

Abstracts Indole acetic acid (IAA) is an important regulator of adventitious rooting via the activation of complex signaling cascades. In animals, carbon monoxide (CO), mainly generated by heme oxygenases (HOs), is a significant modulator of inflammatory reactions, affecting cell proliferation and the production of growth factors. In this report, we show that treatment with the auxin inhibitor naphthylphthalamic acid prevented auxin-mediated induction of adventitious rooting and also decreased the activity of HO and its by-product CO content. The application of IAA, HO-1 activator/CO donor hematin, or CO aqueous solution was able to alleviate the IAA depletion-induced inhibition of adventitious root formation. Meanwhile, IAA or hematin treatment rapidly activated HO activity or HO-1 protein expression, and CO content was also enhanced. The application of the HO-1-specific inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX) could inhibit the above IAA and hematin responses. CO aqueous solution treatment was able to ameliorate the ZnPPIX- induced inhibition of adventitious rooting. Molecular evidence further showed that ZnPPIX mimicked the effects of naphthylphthalamic acid on the inhibition of adventitious rooting, the down-regulation of one DnaJ-like gene (CSDNAJ-1), and two calcium-dependent protein kinase genes (CSCDPK1 and CSCDPK5). Application of CO aqueous solution not only dose- dependently blocked IAA depletion-induced inhibition of adventitious rooting but also enhanced endogenous CO content and up-regulated CSDNAJ-1 and CSCDPK1/5 transcripts. Together, we provided pharmacological, physiological, and molecular evidence that auxin rapidly activates HO activity and that the product of HO action, CO, then triggers the signal transduction events that lead to the auxin responses of adventitious root formation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Keywords -

Title Comparison of Personal, Indoor, and Outdoor Exposures to Hazardous Air Pollutants in Three Urban Communities Author Name Ken Sexton , John L. Adgate , Gurumurthy Ramachandran ,Gregory C. Pratt , Steven J. Mongin , Thomas H. Stock , and Maria T. Morandi Journal Name Environmental Scentific. Technology

Year 2004

Volume and Issue 38,2

Pages 423-430

Abstracts Two-day average concentrations of 15 individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured concurrently in (a) ambient air in three urban neighborhoods, (b) air inside residences of participants, and (c) personal air near the breathing zone of 71 healthy, nonsmoking adults. The outdoor (O), indoor (I), and personal (P) samples were collected in the Minneapolis/St. Paul over three seasons (spring, summer, and fall) in 1999 using charcoal-based passive air samplers (3M model 3500 organic vapor monitors). A hierarchical, mixed-effects statistical model was used to estimate the mutually adjusted effects of monitor location, , and season while accounting for within- subject and within-time-index (monitoring period) correlation. Outdoor VOC concentrations were relatively low compared to many other urban areas, and only minor seasonal differences were observed. A consistent pattern of P > I > O was observed across both communities and seasons for 13 of 15 individual VOCs (exceptions were carbon tetrachloride and chloroform). Results indicate that ambient VOC measurements at central monitoring sites can seriously under-estimate actual exposures for urban residents, even when the outdoor measurements are taken in their own neighborhoods. Keywords -

Title Control and management of hospital indoor air quality. Author Name Michael Leung, Alan H.S. Chan

Journal Name Medical Science

Year 2006

Volume and Issue 12, 3 Pages 17-23

Abstracts The complex hospital environment requires special attentionto ensure healthful indoor air quality (IAQ) to protect patients and healthcare workers against hospital-acquired(nosocomial) infections and occupational diseases. The aim here is to recommend effective guidelinesfor the control and management of hospital IAQ. Material/Methods: The authors have done an extensiveliterature review and conducted comprehensive IAQ assessments in nine hospitals. It is noted that theIAQ measurements are not presented in this paper because of confidentiality. However, the IAQ analysiswas studied carefully in the development of the recommendations given in this paper. Results: The airbornechemical and microbiological contaminants of concern for hospitals have been identified and the majoremission sources, monitoring methods, and exposure limits have been well documented and are reviewedhere. Proper engineering system designs and operations are also reviewed, with recommendations for effectivedilution and removal of the contaminants. The control and mitigation measures cover mechanical ventilation,filtration, differential pressure control, directional airflow control, local exhaust ventilation, andultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) disinfection. Their applications in critical environments,such as operating theatres, isolation rooms, and other typical units, such as outpatient departmentsand laboratories, are also considered. Conclusions: Effective IAQ monitoring methods and mitigation measuressuitable for the hospital environment have been identified. Accordingly, strategies for the implementationof a hospital indoor air quality management system are recommended. Healthcare workers, hospital engineers,and administrative staff can use the above as guidelines to manage and run their hospitals with healthfulindoor air quality. Keywords Air Movements, Review Literature as Topic, Infection Control - methods, Humans, Hospitals - standards, Hospital Administrators, Guidelines as Topic, Filtration, Facility Design and Construction, Environmental Monitoring, Environment, Controlled, Air Pollution, Indoor - prevention & control, Air Pollution, Air Microbiology, Ventilation

Title Current State of the Science: Health Effects and Indoor Environmental Quality Author Name Clifford S. Mitchell, Junfeng(Jim) Zhang, Torben Sigsgaard, Matti Jantunen, Paul J. Lioy, Robert Samson and Meryl H. Karol Journal Name Environmental Health Perspectives

Year 2007

Volume and Issue 115,6

Pages 958-964

Abstracts Our understanding of the relationship between human health and the indoor environment continues to evolve. Previous research on health and indoor environments has tended to concentrate on discrete pollutant sources and exposures and on specific disease processes. Recently, efforts have been made to characterize more fully the complex interactions between the health of occupants and the interior spaces they inhabit. In this article we review recent advances in source characterization, exposure assessment, health effects associated with indoor exposures, and intervention research related to indoor environments. Advances in source characterization include a better understanding of how chemicals are transported and processed within spaces and the role that other factors such as lighting and building design may play in determining health. Efforts are under way to improve our ability to measure exposures, but this remains a challenge, particularly for biological agents. Researchers are also examining the effects of multiple exposures as well as the effects of exposures on vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. In addition, a number of investigators are also studying the effects of modifying building design, materials, and operations on occupant health. Identification of research priorities should include input from building designers, operators, and the community. Keywords -

Title Carbon Monoxide as a Tracer for Assessing Exposures to Particulate Matter in and Gas Cookstove Households of Highland Guatemala Author Name L. P. Naeher , K. R. Smith , B. P. Leaderer , L. Neufeld ,and D. T. Mage Journal Name Technology

Year 2001

Volume and Issue 35,3

Pages 575-581

Abstracts Kitchen-area 22-h gravimetric PM2.5 and passive diffusion stain-tube carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were measured in homes with open fire and improved wood cookstoves in two studies. In the first study (Guat-2), which also studied homes with gas cookstoves, three samples were collected per stove condition from each of three test houses. In the second study (Guat-3), one sample was collected per house from 15 open fire and 25 improved-stove houses. CO personal samples were also taken for mother and child in both studies. Spearman correlation coefficients (R) between kitchen-area CO and

PM2.5 levels in homes using open fires or impoved wood cookstoves were high ranging from 0.92 (Guat-2) to 0.94 (Guat-3), as were those between the personal samples for mother and child ranging from 0.85 (Guat-3) to 0.96 (Guat-2). In general, the correlations were lower for less-polluted conditions. The study found that CO is

a good proxy for PM2.5 in homes using open fires or planchas (improved wood cookstove with chimney) but not under gas stove use conditions. It also determined that mother personal CO is a good proxy for child's (under 2 years of age) personal CO and that area CO measurements are not strongly representative of personal CO measurements. These results generally support the use of Draeger

CO passive diffusion tubes as a proxy for PM2.5 in such cases where a single type of emission source is the predominant source for CO

and PM2.5. Keywords -

Title Indoor exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in traditional houses in Burundi Author Name C. Viau, G. Hakizimana, M. Bouchard

Journal Name International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Year 2000 Volume and Issue 73,5

Pages 331-338

Abstracts Wood combustion is used as a major source in African countries and could result in indoor, pollution-related health problems. This exploratory study was undertaken to estimate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and carbon monoxide exposure in individuals living in traditional rural houses in Burundi. Methods: Standard methods were used to determine indoor air concentrations of 12 PAHs, and carbon monoxide. The urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was measured in occupants of traditional houses, and compared with that of individuals living in the town of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. Results: Mean airborne concentration of four volatile PAHs, naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene and acenaphthene, exceeded 1 μg/m3, and that of benzo (a) pyrene was 0.07μg/m3. Naphthalene was by far the main PAH contaminant, with a mean concentration (±standard deviation) of 28.7 ± 23.4 μg/m3, representing on average 60–70% of total PAH concentration. Carbon monoxide mean concentration (±standard deviation) was 42 ± 31 mg/m3, and correlated with total PAH concentration. Geometric mean urinary 1-OHP excretion (range) in people living in traditional houses was 1.50 (0.26–15.62) μmol/mol creatinine, a value which is on average 30 times higher than that of people living in the capital (0.05 (0.009–0.17)μmol/mol creatinine). Conclusions: It appears that the substantially high concentrations of the studied contaminants constitute a potential health hazard to the rural population of Burundi. Keywords Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Indoor air pollution, Environmental exposure, Biological monitoring

Title Indoor/outdoor relationships of carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen in domestic homes with roadside, urban and rural locations in a central Indian region Author Name A. J. Lawrence, A. Masih, A. Taneja

Journal Name Indoor Air

Year 2004

Volume and Issue 15,2 Pages 76-82

Abstracts Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been a matter of public concern these days whereas air pollution is normally monitored outdoors as part of obligations under the National air quality strategies. Much little is known about levels of air pollution indoors. Simultaneous measurements of indoor and outdoor carbon monoxide (CO) and

oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2) concentrations were conducted at three different environments, i.e. rural, urban and roadside in Agra, , using YES – 205 multigas monitor during the winter season, i.e. October 2002–February 2003. A statistical correlation analysis of indoor concentration levels with outdoor concentrations was carried out. CO was maximum at roadside locations with indoor concentrations 2072.5 ± 372 p.p.b. and outdoor concentrations 1220 ± 281 p.p.b. (R2¼0.005). Oxides of nitrogen were found maximum at urban site; NO concentration was 385 ± 211 and 637 ± 269 p.p.b.

for indoors and outdoors respectively (R2¼0.90792), where as NO2 concentration was 255 ± 146 p.p.b. for indoors and 460 ± 225 p.p.b.for outdoors (R2 ¼ 0939464). Although indoor concentration at all the houses of the three sites have a positive correlation with outdoor concentration, CO variation indoors was very less due to outdoor sources. An activity schedule of inside and outside these homes were also prepared to see its influence and concentrations of pollutants. As standards for indoor air were not available for the Indian conditions these were compared with the known standards of other countries, where as outdoor concentrations were compared with the standards given by the Central Pollution Control board, which shows that indoor concentrations of both Nox and CO lie below permissible limits but outdoor concentrations of Nox cross the standard limits. Keywords Indoor/outdoor pollution, Carbon monoxide , Oxides of nitrogen, Domestic homes; Indoor air quality, Statistical correlation

Title The Biofiltration of Indoor Air: Implications for Air Quality

Author Name A. Darlington, M. Chan, D. Malloch, C. Pilger, M. A. Dixon

Journal Name International journal of indoor environment and health

Year 2000 Volume and Issue 10,1

Pages 39-46

Abstracts An alternative method of maintaining indoor air quality may be through the biofiltration of air recirculating within the structure rather than the traditional approach of ventilation. This approach is currently being investigated. Prior to its acceptance for dealing with

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO2, efforts were made to determine whether the incorporation of this amount of into the indoor space can have an (negative) impact on indoor air quality. A relatively large ecologically complex biofilter composed of a ca. 10 m2 bioscrubber, 30 m2 of plantings and a 3,500 litre aquarium were established in a 160 m2‘air-tight’ room in a recently constructed office building in Toronto. This space maintained ca. 0.2 air changes per hour (ACH) compared to the 15 to 20 ACH (with a 30% refresh rate) of other spaces in the same building. Air quality parameters of concern were total VOCs (TVOCs), formaldehyde and aerial spore counts. TVOC and formaldehyde levels in the biofilter room were the same or significantly less than other spaces in the building despite a much slower refresh rate. Aerial spore levels were slightly higher than other indoor spaces but were well within reported values for ‘healthy’ indoor spaces. Levels appeared to be dependent on horticultural management practices within the space. Most genera of fungal spores present were common indoors and the other genera were associated with living or dead plant material or soil. From these results, the incorporation of a large amount of biomass associated with indoor biofilters does not in itself lower indoor air quality. Keywords -

Title Healthy workplaces: plantscaping for indoor environmental quality Author Name Andrew Smith, Michael Pitt

Journal Name Emerald Insight

Year 2010 Volume and Issue 29,3

Pages 169 - 187

Abstracts Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the indoor environmental quality benefits of plants in offices by undertaking trials using live plants. Design/methodology/approach– Using two offices in the same building, one with plants and one as a control, daily tests were undertaken for relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Results were analysed to identify any differences between the office with plants and the one without.Findings– Relative humidity increased following the introduction of plants and more significantly following additional hydroculture plants being installed, taking it to within the recommended range.Carbon dioxide was slightly higher in the planted office for the majority of the trial, although there was an overall reduction in both offices. Carbon monoxide levels reduced with the introduction of plants and again with the additional plants. VOC levels were consistently lower in the non-planted office. Research limitations/implications– It would be useful to extend this research in a greater range of buildings and with more flexible VOC-monitoring equipment.Practical implications – This paper suggests that plants may provide an effective method of regulating the indoor environmental conditions within buildings. This can potentially lead to performance gains for the organisation and a reduction in instances of ill health among the workforce. Originality/value– The majority of previous studies have relied on laboratory work and experimental chambers. This research aims to apply previous findings to a real working environment to determine whether the air-purifying abilities of plants have practical relevance in the workplace. Keywords Office management, Plants, Productivity rate, Atmosphere

Title The Living walls as an Approach for a Healthy Urban Environment

Author Name Samar Sheweka, Nourhan Magdy

Journal Name Energy Procedia

Year 2011 Volume and Issue 6

Pages 592-599

Abstracts Societies are in a need for making a conscious choice to switch to a more sustainable way of . Design, construction, and maintenance of buildings have a tremendous impact on the environment and the natural . All around the world, a huge amount of buildings are being constructed with many more to be done. The challenge will be to build them smart with a minimal usage of non-, minimal production of pollution, and minimal cost of energy dollars. Other important issues in building include increasing the comfort, health, and safety of people who live and work in them. Indeed, buildings consume many of the natural resources and are responsible for many problems. Now, in the 21st century, people are slowly beginning to realize the necessity of green where new aspects and technologies started to emerge in terms of green buildings such as green walls which are considered a new prospect for the phenomenon of and aspects. This research will display the meanings, the advantages and the techniques of the living wall as a part of the sustainable strategy for the urban environment. The Green vertical surfaces can contribute significant environmental, social and economic benefits to the . moreover the research will display why this emerging technology should be considered as a valuable part of the design process for addressing change and energy crisis.The living wall could also function for urban agriculture, urban gardening, or for its beauty as art. It is sometimes built indoors to help alleviate sick building syndrome. Living walls are particularly suitable for cities, as they allow good use of available vertical surface areas. They are also suitable in arid areas, as the circulating water on a vertical wall is less likely to evaporate than in horizontal gardens. Finally, the research will conclude with several recommendations for the using of living walls technique which suits the arid climate as a part of sustainable strategy for the urban environment. Keywords Bio walls, climatic change, vertical vegetations

Title Summary of human responses to ventilation Author Name O. A. Seppanen and W. J. Fisk

Journal Name Indoor Air

Year 2004

Volume and Issue 14,7

Pages 102-118

Abstracts It is known that ventilation is necessary to remove indoor-generated pollutants from indoor air or dilute their concentration to acceptable levels. But as the limit values of all pollutants are not known the exact determination of required ventilation rates based on pollutant concentrations is seldom possible. The selection of ventilation rates has to be based also on epidemiological research, laboratory and field experiments and experience. The existing literature indicates that ventilation has a significant impact on several important human outcomes including: (1) communicable respiratory illnesses; (2) sick building syndrome symptoms; (3) task performance and productivity, and (4) perceived air quality (PAQ) among occupants or sensory panels (5) respiratory allergies and asthma. In many studies, prevalence of sick building syndrome symptoms has also been associated with characteristics of HVAC-systems. Often the prevalence of SBS symptoms is higher in air-conditioned buildings than in naturally ventilated buildings. The evidence suggests that better hygiene, commissioning, operation and maintenance of air handling systems may be particularly important for reducing the negative effects of HVAC systems. Ventilation may also have harmful effects on indoor air quality and climate if not properly designed, installed, maintained and operated. Ventilation may bring indoors harmful substances or deteriorate indoor environment. Ventilation interacts also with the building envelope and may deteriorate the structures of the building.Ventilation changes the pressure differences across the structures of building and may cause or prevent infiltration of pollutants from structures or adjacent spaces. Ventilation is also in many cases used to control the thermal environment or humidity in buildings. The paper summarises the current knowledge on positive and negative effects of ventilation on health and other human responses. The focus is on office-type working environment and residential buildings. Keywords Ventilation; Ventilation rate; HVAC-system SBS symptoms; Productivity; Sick leave; CO; Air-conditioning; Infectious disease; Cleanliness

Title Improvement of Indoor Air Quality by Houseplants in New- built Apartment Buildings Author Name Young-Wook Lim, Ho-Hyun Kim, Ji-Yeon Yang, Kwang-Jin Kim, Jae-Young Lee, Dong-Chun Shin Journal Name Journal of the Japanese Society for Horticultural Science

Year 2009

Volume and Issue 78, 4

Pages 456-462

Abstracts A group of 82 households in a new-built apartment complex in Seoul, Korea participated in an investigation to examine the symptoms of sick building syndrome (SBS) using of houseplants for two observation periods. The present study confirmed the decrease of formaldehyde content in an airtight chamber containing a pot with fatsia plants. Houseplants affected the general air conditions, such as increasing relative humidity and decreasing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The toxic chemical substances responsible for SBS persisted at least one more years but were effectively decreased by ventilation. Houseplants facilitated the quantitative decrease of some of these chemical substances in indoor air. Indoor-dwellers felt the decrease in SBS symptoms with time regardless of houseplants in both observation periods. Houseplants made a slight difference to the symptom degree of SBS in the first observation period but a significant difference in the second observation period; however, houseplants made little difference to the content of toxic chemical substances in indoor air except formaldehyde, although houseplants gave desirable results in the decrease of SBS symptoms. Keywords Ethyl benzene, formaldehyde, sick building syndrome, toluene, xylene.

Title Emission of Hexanal and Carbon Monoxide from Storage of Wood Pellets, a Potential Occupational and Domestic Health Hazard Author Name Urban r. A. Svedberg , hans-erik högberg , johan högberg, bo galle

Journal Name The Annals of Occupational Hygiene

Year 2004

Volume and Issue 48,4

Pages 339-349

Abstracts Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate and describe the emissions of volatile compounds, particularly hexanal and carbon monoxide, from large- and small-scale storage of wood pellets. Methods: Air sampling was performed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and adsorbent sampling in pellet warehouses, domestic storage rooms, lumber kiln dryers and experimental set-ups. Literature studies were included to describe the formation of hexanal and carbon monoxide and the toxicology of hexanal. Results: A geometric mean aldehyde level of 111 ± 32 mg/m3 was found in one warehouse, with a peak reading of 156 mg/m3. A maximum aldehyde reading of 457 mg/m3 was recorded at the surface of a pellet pile. Hexanal (70–80% w/w) and pentanal (10–15% w/w) dominated, but acetone (83 ± 24 mg/m3), methanol (18 ± 7 mg/m3) and carbon monoxide (56 ± 4 mg/m3) were also found. The emissions in a domestic storage room varied with the ambient temperature and peaked after 2 months storage in the midst of the warm season. Aldehyde levels of 98 ± 4 mg/m3 and carbon monoxide levels of 123 ± 10 mg/m3 were recorded inside such storage rooms. Elevated levels of hexanal (0.084 mg/m3) were recorded inside domestic housing and 6 mg/m3 in a room adjacent to a poorly sealed storage area. Experimental laboratory studies confirmed the findings of the field studies. A field study of the emissions from industrial lumber drying also showed the formation of aldehydes and carbon monoxide. Conclusions: High levels of hexanal and carbon monoxide were strongly associated with storage of wood pellets and may constitute an occupational and domestic health hazard. The results from lumber drying show that the emissions of hexanal and carbon monoxide are not limited to wood pellets but are caused by general degradation processes of wood, facilitated by drying at elevated temperature. Emission of carbon monoxide from wood materials at low (<100°C) has not previously been reported in the literature. We postulate that carbon monoxide is formed due to autoxidative degradation of fats and fatty acids. A toxicological literature survey showed that the available scientific information on hexanal is insufficient to determine the potential to health. However, the data presented in this paper seem sufficient to undertake preventive measures to reduce exposure to hexanal. Keywords air sampling; exposure; FTIR; work environment