Foliage plants for removing indoor air pollutants from energy-efficient homes
- 685 Downloads
- 60 Citations
Abstract
A sealed, Plexiglas chamber with temperature and humidity control and illuminated externally with wide spectrum grow lights was used to evaluate the ability of golden pothos (Scindapsus aureus), nephthytis (Syngonium podophyllum), and spider plant (Chlorophytum elatum var.vittatum) to effect the removal of formaldehyde from contaminated air at initial concentrations of 15–37 ppm. Under the conditions of this study, the spider plant proved most efficient by sorbing and/ or effecting the removal of up to 2.27 fig formaldehyde per cm2 leaf surface area in 6 h of exposure. The immediate application of this new botanical air-purification system should be in energy-efficient homes that have a high risk of this organic concentrating in the air, due to outgassing of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, particleboard, fabrics and various other synthetic materials.
Keywords
Economic Botany Formaldehyde Concentration Mobile Home Leaf Surface Area Foliage PlantPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Literature Cited
- National Research Council, Committee on Toxicology. 1980. Formaldehyde—an assessment of its health effects. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
- —, Committee on Aldehydes. 1981a. Formaldehyde and other aldehydes. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
- —, Committee on Indoor Pollutants. 1981b. Indoor pollutants. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
- Porter, J. A. H. 1975. Acute respiratory distress following formalin inhalation. Lancet 2: 603–604.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Rostenberg, A., J. B. Bairstow, and T. W. Luther. 1952. A study of eczematous sensitivity to formaldehyde. J. Invest. Dermatol. 19: 459–462.PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Roth, W. G. 1969. Tylosic palmar and plantor eczema caused by steaming clothes containing formalin. Berufsdermatosen 17: 263–268.PubMedGoogle Scholar
- Shipkovitz, H. D. 1968. Formaldehyde vapor emissions in the permanent-press fabrics industry. Report No. TR-52 Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Dept. Health, Ed. and Welfare, Public Health Service, Consumer Protection and Env. Health Service, Env. Control Adm.Google Scholar
- Smith, K. A., J. P. M. Bremmer, and M. A. Tabatabai. 1973. Sorption of gaseous atmospheric pollutants by soils. Soil Sci. 116: 313–319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Tabershaw, I. R., H. N. Doyle, L. Gaudette, S. H. Lamm, and O. Wong. 1979. A review of the formaldehyde problems in mobile homes. Report to Natl. Particleboard Assoc, Rockville, MD: Tabershaw Occupational Medicine Association, P. A.Google Scholar
- Vehara, M. 1978. Follicular contact dermatitis due to formaldehyde. Dermatologica 156: 48–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Wayne, L. G., R. J. Bryan, and K. Ziedman. 1976. Irritant effects of industrial chemicals: formaldehyde. DHEW (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) Publication No. 77-177. U.S. Gov. Printing Office, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
- Wolverton, B. C. 1980. Higher plants for recycling human waste into food, potable water and revitalized air in a closed life support system. NASA/ERL Report No. 192, NSTL, MS.Google Scholar
- —. 1982. Hybrid wastewater treatment system using anaerobic microorganisms and reed (Phrag-mites communis). Econ. Bot. 36: 373–380.Google Scholar
- —, and R. C. McDonald. 1981. Natural processes for treatment of organic chemical waste. Environmental Profess. 3: 99–104.Google Scholar