International Journal of Trend in Scientific

Research and Development (IJTSRD)

International Open Access Journal

ISSN No: 2456 - 6470 | www.ijtsrd.com | Volume - 2 | Issue – 2

Cleanest, Greenest Solution for Maintaining in Urban Areas: Plants

Sangita Devi Sharma Pankaj Kumar Jain Vaidehi Sharma Assistant Professor (Botany), Assistant Professor (Botany), Assistant Professor (Geography), Government College Bori, Kalyan P.G. College Bhilai Nagar, Government College Bori, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India Durg, Chhattisgarh, India Durg, Chhattisgarh, India

ABSTRACT In urban area people spend more than 90 percent of our home or office. This study has been focus on their time in indoors environment. All of these are indoor plants and their air cleaning abilities. made worse in small or poorly-ventilated spaces (like maybe your apartment with that window that you Keywords: Indoor air, Contaminants, Cheapest and accidentally painted shut last year). Researchers find Greenest solution, Plants that indoor air can emit contaminants like , xylene, ; ozone etc. as outdoor Introduction: air contaminants like car exhaust finds its way into buildings. These cause serious health problem to In urban areas indoor air pollutants have been ranked mankind. NASA scientists have been research to among the top five environmental risks to public overcome these problem and they find that cheapest, health. In these areas stagnant indoor environments greenest solution for cleaning of contaminated indoor and lacking decent ventilation can cause "sick air in urban environment is plants. A beautiful potted building syndrome”. plant is much more attractive and discrete than our average air filter. They enhance the look and feel of

Symptoms of Sick Building syndrome

NASA astronauts experience sick building syndrome all the time in their sealed space stations. Sick building syndrome occurs when people who work or live inside a building experience symptoms such as: *Headaches *Nausea *Irritation in the eyes, throat or nose *coughing *Dry and itchy skin *Inability to focus *Allergies These symptoms usually go away when we leave the building for a certain amount of time. While the cause is unknown, sick building syndrome is known to reduce productivity.

@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 2 | Jan-Feb 2018 Page: 1442 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470 These conditions allow pollutants to build up and micro-organisms in the potting mix (soil) of a potted stick around in greater amounts than we humans plant remove benzene from the air, and that some should be breathing in. plant species also contribute to removing benzene (Table-I and II). Science Daily. February 20, 2009. Major indoor pollutants present in our home Quote: "...Complete plants removed approximately 80% of the formaldehyde within 4 hours. Control a. Benzene – Can be found in Glues, paints, chambers pumped with the same amount of furniture wax and detergents. formaldehyde, but not containing any plant parts, b. Formaldehyde – Is in emissions, disinfectants decreased by 7.3% during the day and 6.9% overnight and fixatives, or preservatives in consumer within 5 hours (Kim et al. 2008). Although house products. plants may be intimidating to those with a “black c. – In homes undergoing thumb” or fear of commitment, it turns out that many renovation. plants are easy to care for—so easy”. d. Xylene and – In a variety of household sprays and consumer products List of Some important indoor air purifier plants: e. – Aerosols and sprays used in the The first list of air-filtering plants was compiled by home. NASA as part of a clean air study published in 1989, (Wolverton, 1984, 1989 and 1994) which researched Living and working in places with these air ways to clean air in space stations. As well as contaminants can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, absorbing and releasing , as all and eye, ear, and nose irritation (Table I and II). plants do, these plants also eliminate significant Plants as air purifier: The NASA Clean Air Study amounts of benzene, formaldehyde and (Annexure- I) was led by the National Aeronautics trichloroethylene (Table III). The second and third and Space Administration (NASA) in association with lists are from Wolverton and Wolverton (1993) and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America Wood, et al. (2004) and focus on removal of specific (ALCA). Its results suggest that certain common chemicals. There are many more plants that can make indoor plants may provide a natural way of home look and beautiful, fresh and healthy by removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde providing natural air filters and increasing the oxygen and trichloroethylene from the air, helping neutralize levels. the effects of sick building syndrome (Table1and 2). NASA researchers suggest efficient air cleaning is Tip recommended by NASA: You have between 15 accomplished with at least one plant per 100 square and 18 plants in your home to purify the air you feet of home or office space. Other more recent breathe research (Höppe and Martinac. 1998) has shown that

SOME COMMON AND EASILY AVAILABLE INDOOR PLANTS

Epipremnum aureum Chrysanthemum morifolium Spathiphyllum (Devil’s Ivy) (Florist’s Chrysanthemum) (Peace Lily)

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Dracaena reflexa trifasciata Gerbera jamesonii Chlorophytum comosum (Red-Edged Dracaena) (Snake Plant) (Barberton Daisy) (Spider Plant)

(Most efficient air freshner according to NASA)

Chamaedorea seifrizii Ficus elastic Aglaonema Aloe Vera (Bamboo palms) Rubber plants Chinese evergreen

Process of cleaning indoor air by plant:

By adding a potted plants to a room has been shown to reduce the amount of air particulates. When plants take in carbon dioxide which is then processed into oxygen through photosynthesis. At the same time it also absorbs some of the particulates from the indoor air. Microorganisms associated with the plants are also responsible for much of the cleaning effect. Root-associated microbes convert toxins in the air into nutrients the plants eat and thrive on.

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Figure: Replace air freshener spray with a jasmine plant for healthy breathing air.

Indoor Plant vs. Other Types of Air Cleaners maintains a constant rate of air cleaning indefinitely because it is "self- cleaning". The a. Plant vs. HEPA Filter effectiveness increases over time as the microbes adapt to their environment. 1. Electronic Precipitator efficiency decreases as the 2. Electronic Precipitators need to have their collecting plates become loaded with particles or collector plates cleaned regularly exposing the as airflow velocity decreases or becomes less user to a significant amount of toxic build-up. uniform while plants maintains a constant rate of Maintenance of the indoor plant will not expose air cleaning indefinitely because it is "self- the user to concentrated toxin cleaning. cleaning". The effectiveness increases over time 3. Indoor plant is more naturally attractive than any as the microbes adapt to their environment. Electronic Precipitator filter unit. 2. Electronic Precipitators need to have their

collector plates cleaned regularly exposing the user to a significant amount of toxic build-up. c. Indoor Plant vs. Ion Generator/ Ozone Maintenance of the Plant will not expose the user Generator to concentrated toxin cleaning. 1. Ion/ ozone Generator units emit some ozone 3. Plant is more naturally attractive than any which is an irritant gas that reacts with lung Electronic Precipitator filter unit. tissue and can cause various respiratory 4. Plant will remove Volatile Organic Compounds irritations, and tends to soil interior surfaces (VOCs), some of the most dangerous pollutants, with pollutant particles that are difficult to whereas HEPA filter (alone) won't. remove while indoor plant is more naturally 5. Plant adapts to VOCs and other pollutants over attractive than any Ion Generator unit and it time becoming more effective at eliminating them gives off only clean air. while HEPA filters slowly lose their effectiveness until renewed by replacing the filters. The Plant Air Purifier's hydro culture system: 6. HEPA usually requires annual replacement of Mold, fungus, insects, etc., that can be a problem filters, which can cost as much as the filter unit by infesting the soil of potted plants are less of a itself, while the indoor plant requires only water, concern when growing plants in hydro- culture. occasional plant food and no filter to replace, ever. When watering plants in hydro- culture, the surface Filters contribute to the solid waste stream and pebbles dry quickly and so do not support the expose the user to a substantial concentration of growth of molds and fungus. So the present study toxins during the replacement process. deals the listing of virtually-indestructible plants. 7. Indoor plant is more naturally attractive than any The Plant Air Purifier's hydro culture system is HEPA filter unit. dozens of times more effective than a single house plant grown in soil. The Plant Air Purifier has been b. Indoor Plant vs. Electronic Precipitator found to remove formaldehyde, benzene, and other 1. Electronic Precipitator efficiency decreases as volatile organic compounds as well as dust, the collecting plates become loaded with allergens, and pet dander. It is the cleanest greenest particles or as airflow velocity decreases or solution for pure, cleaner air. For these purpose becomes less uniform. Plant Air Purifier® NASA calls it "nature’s life support system."

@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 2 | Jan-Feb 2018 Page: 1445 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470 Beyond air quality, plants just make people feel Potted Plants”, Final Report to Horticulture better. For example, hospital patients with plants in Australia Ltd, Sydney. their rooms were more positive and had lower 4. Cavallo D. 1997. “Exposure to in blood pressure and stress levels. Similarly, indoor home of subjects living in Milan”, Proceedings of plants may make people smarter by allowing them Healthy Buildings/IAQ ’97, Vol. 3, 141-145. to stay alert and reducing mental fatigue. 5. Environment Australia (EA), 2003. “BTEX Personal Exposure Monitoring in Four Australian Conclusion: Cities”, Technical Paper No. 6: EA, 2003. Urban peoples spend about 90% of their time indoors Canberra, ACT, Australia. (at home, school or office) (Cavallo, 1997; US EPA 6. Höppe P. and Martinac I. 1998. “Indoor climate 2000; Environment Australia (EA) 2003) where air and air quality”, International Journal of pollution is typically even higher than outdoors Biometeorology, Vol. 42, 1-7. (Brown 1997and EA 2003). Overall study shows that 7. King G. M. 2007. “Microbial carbon the can absorb harmful toxins from the monoxide consumption in salt marsh sediments”, air, especially in enclosed apartments with no or little FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Vol. 59 (1), 2-9. ventilation. This study has been the basis for indoor 8. Orwell R. L. 2004. “Removal of benzene by the plants and their air cleaning abilities. While they have indoor plant/ substrate microcosm and less horse power than air purifiers, they’re more implications for air quality”, Water, Air, and Soil natural, cost effective, and therapeutic. In the presence Pollution, Vol. 157, 193-207. of plants, CO2 levels were reduced by about 10% in 9. Orwell R. L. 2006. “The potted-plant microcosm offices in the air-conditioned building, and by about substantially reduces indoor air VOC pollution: II. 25% in the naturally ventilated building and the CO Laboratory study”, Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, concentrations were greatly reduced with plant Vol. 177, 59-80. presence, with or without air-conditioning, down to 10. Pottorff, L. Plants "Clean" Air Inside Our Homes. about 8-14% of those in unplanted offices (Tarran et Colorado State University & Denver County al. 2007). Extension Master Gardener. 2010. The indoor plant has several advantages 11. Seppänen, O., Fisk, W. J. and Lei, Q. H. 2006. a. increase mood and productivity “Ventilation and performance in office work”, b. enhance concentration and memory Indoor Air, Vol. 16, 28-36. c. reduce stress and fatigue 12. Tarran J. Torpy, F. and Burchett, M. 2007. Use of d. Root-associated microbes convert toxins in the living pot-plants to cleanse indoor air – research air into nutrients the plants eat and thrive on. review. Proceedings of Sixth International e. The beautiful potted indoor plant enhances the Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation & look and feel of our home or office. Hydro- Energy Conservation in Buildings – Sustainable culture, do not support the growth of molds and Built Environment, Volume III, 249-256. fungus. So the present study deals the listing of 13. US EPA, 2000. “Healthy buildings, healthy virtually-indestructible plants. While plants people: a vision for the 21st century”, Office of have less horse power than air purifiers, they’re Air and Radiation. more natural, cost effective, and therapeutic. 14. Wolverton, B. C.1984. Foliage plants for removing indoor air pollutants from energy- References: efficient homes. Economic Botany 38(2), 224- 28. 1. Aust. Safety & Compensation Council (ASCC) 15. Wolverton, B. C.1989. A study of interior (2006) “Adopted National Exposure Standards for landscape plants for indoor air pollution Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational abatement: an interim report.NASA. Environment”.NOHSC: 1033- 1995. September, 1989. 2. Brown, S. K, 1997 “Volatile organic compounds 16. Wolverton, B. C. (1996) How to Grow Fresh Air. in indoor air: sources and control”, Chemistry in New York: Penguin Books. Australia, Vol. 64 (Jan/Feb), 10-13. 17. Wolverton, B. C. and J. D. Wolverton. (1993). 3. Burchett M. D. 2005. “Improving Indoor Plants and soil microorganisms: removal of Environmental Quality Through the Use of Indoor formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia from the indoor environment. Journal of the

@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 2 | Jan-Feb 2018 Page: 1446 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470 Mississippi Academy of Sciences 38(2), 11-15. substantially reduces indoor air VOC pollution: 18. Wood R. A. 2002.) “Potted-plant/growth media I. Office field-study”, Water, Air, and Soil interactions and capacities for removal of Pollution, Vol. 175, 163-180 volatiles from indoor air”, Journal of 21. Kim, J. K., et al. 2008. Efficiency of volatile Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, Vol. formaldehyde removal by indoor plants: 77 (1), 120-129. contribution of aerial plant parts versus the root 19. Wood, R.; Tarran, J.; Torpy, F.; Burchett, M. zone. Horticultural Science 133: 479- 627. (2004). Removal of Benzene by the indoor 22. Wolverton; WL Douglas; K Bounds 1989. A plant/Substrate microcosm and implications for study of interior landscape plants for indoor air air quality. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 157 pollution abatement (Report). NASA. NASA-TM (1–4): 193–207. 108061. 20. Wood R. A. 2006. “The potted-plant microcosm

Table I: Common Indoor Air Pollutants: Sources and Health Impacts POLLUTANTS FROM NATURAL SOURCES

Pollutant Major Sources in the Home Possible Health Impacts

Radon – Colourless, tasteless, *Earth and rock under buildings *No immediate symptoms. and odourless gas that comes *Some earth-derived building *Lung cancer- Causes estimated from the radioactive decay of *Groundwater; well-water from 20,000 lung-cancer deaths yearly. private supplies uranium or radium. Smokers are at higher risk of developing radon induced lung cancer.

Biological Contaminants– *House dust *Allergies and asthma Molds, mildews and fungi, *Infected humans or animals *Headaches bacteria, viruses, dust, mites *Bedding *Eye, nose and throat irritation *Poorly maintained humidifiers, *Colds, flu, and pneumonia dehumidifiers & air conditioners *Wet or moist surfaces *Carpets and home furnishings

Table II: Common Indoor Air Pollutants: Sources and Health Impacts Pollutants from Man-Made Sources

Pollutant Major Sources in the Home Possible Health Impacts

Asbestos – A natural mineral *Damaged or deteriorating *No immediate symptoms fibre used in various building ceiling, wall, and pipe insulation. *Chest, abdominal and lung cancers materials. All homes more than *Vinyl-asbestos floor material and asbestosis about 20 years old are likely to *Fireproof gaskets in heat shields, *Asbestos can cause lung cancer, have some asbestos. wood stoves, and furnaces especially among smokers.600 to *Acoustical materials 1,000 U.S. deaths yearly are *Thermal insulation asbestos- related-- mostly from *Exterior siding workplace exposure

Volatile Organic Chemicals *Aerosol sprays, hair sprays, *Eye, nose, throat irritation (VOCs) – Airborne chemicals perfumes, solvents, glues, cleaning *Headaches contained in many household agents, fabric softeners, pesticides, *Loss of coordination

@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 2 | Jan-Feb 2018 Page: 1447 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470 products paints, moth repellents, *Confusion deodorizers, and other household * Damage to liver, kidneys, and products brain *Dry-cleaned clothing *Various types of cancer *Moth balls *Tobacco smoke Formaldehyde – Pungent gas *Pressed wood products(plywood, *Allergic reactions released into air panelling, particle board) *Eye, nose and throat irritation *Urea-formaldehyde foam wall *Headaches *Nausea, dizziness, coughing insulation *Cancer a possibility # *Carpets, draperies, furniture *Sensitivity varies widely fabrics *Paper products, glues, adhesives *Some personal care products *Tobacco smoke Lead – Natural element once used *Household dust from lead paint *Damage to brain, kidneys, and as a component in gasoline, house *Lead-based paint nervous system paint, solder and water pipes. *Water from lead or lead- soldered *Behavioural and learning pipes or brass fixtures *Soil near problems highways/ lead *Slowed growth *Anaemia industries *Hearing loss *Hobbies such as working with *Large doses can be fatal stained glass and target shooting Lead-glazed ceramic ware *Some folk medicines Carbon monoxide – An *Appliances or heaters that burn odourless, colourless gas natural gas, oil, wood, propane or kerosene. *A major component of car exhaust

(Source indoor Air Quality and Your Home. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Albany, NY. And Home Indoor Air Quality Assessment. Michael P. Vogel, Ed.D. Extension Housing Specialist, Montana State University Extension Service. And Quick IAQ Facts for the Community Educator. Joseph T. Ponessa, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Housing & Energy Specialist, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service, New Jersey)

Table III: Indoor Plants and their pollutants removal characteristic Formal Trichloroethyle Xylene and Toxic to dog Name of plants Benzene Ammonia dehyde ne Toluene or cat Aloe vera Yes Yes Yes No No Toxic Areca Palm No Yes No Yes No Non Toxic (Dypsis lutescens) Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea Yes Yes Yes Yes No Non Toxic seifrizii) Banana (Musa oriana) No Yes No No No Non Toxic Barberton Daisy (Gerbera Yes Yes Yes No No Non Toxic jamesonii)

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Rubber plant No Yes No No No Toxic (Ficus elastica) Domb canes (Dieffenbachia No No No Yes No Toxic spp.) King of hearts (Homalomena No No No Yes No Toxic wallisii)

@ IJTSRD | Available Online @ www.ijtsrd.com | Volume – 2 | Issue – 2 | Jan-Feb 2018 Page: 1449 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470 Moth Orchid No No No Yes No Non-toxic (Phalaenopsis spp.) Dwarf date palm (Phoenix No Yes No Yes No Non-toxic roebelenii) Kimbertlay queen fern No Yes No Yes No Non-toxic (Nephrolepis obliterata) English ivy Yes Yes Yes Yes No Toxic (Hedera helix) Spider Plant (Chlorophytum No Yes No Yes No Non-toxic comosum) Devil’s ivy Pothos plant Yes Yes No Yes No Toxic () Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum' Mauna Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Toxic Loa') Flamingo Lily (Anthurium No Yes No Yes Yes Toxic andraeanum) Florists Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Toxic morifolium) Warneckei (Dracaena Yes Yes Yes No No Toxic deremensis "Warnecke”)

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