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The subject of indoor air pollution regularly comes up in the news. To protect against this, Australian researchers recommend using depolluting plants. Explanations.
Caused by volatile organic compounds, indoor pollution is a real scourge for our lungs. To get rid of it, it is recommended to ventilate its interior at least twice a day. In addition, the use of green plants also seems to be a good solution, according to the results of a study led by Associate Professor Fraser Torpy, researcher in bioremediation at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in partnership with the leading plant management solutions company Ambius.
A green wall to limit indoor air pollution
In this study, Australian researchers from the University of Sydney explain that certain plants are able to clean up indoor air. By mixing a few varieties of plants, thus creating a green wall, they noted an air pollution control of around 97%, in just eight hours.
The pollutants observed came from outside, caused by road traffic, underground car parks or petrol vapours. Elements considered to be carcinogenic, such as benzene, have thus been eliminated.
“Stunning” results on air pollution control
In a statement, Professor Fraser Torpy said that “this is the first time that plants have been tested for their ability to remove gasoline-related compounds, and the results are astounding. Not only can plants remove the majority of pollutants from the air within hours, they are more efficient at removing the most harmful gasoline-related pollutants, for example, the known carcinogen benzene is digested faster than less harmful substances , such as alcohols”.
The specialist adds:We also found that the more concentrated the toxins in the air, the faster and more efficient the plants became at removing the toxins, showing that plants adapt to the conditions in which they grow.“.
Previous studies of houseplants have shown that they can remove a wide range of contaminants from indoor air, but this is the first study on the ability of plants to clean gasoline vapors, l one of the greatest sources of toxic compounds in urban buildings.
Poor air quality responsible for many deaths
According to the World Health Organization, poor air quality is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths worldwide. Remember that in addition, most people spend most of their time indoors, whether at home, at school or at work. Improving air quality is therefore essential to limit its irritative effects on the lungs, but also the headaches it can cause or the more serious illnesses that can be triggered in the long term, such as cancers.
Slide: Depolluting plants