GabyAustralian scientists attempted to determine whether a vertical greening system could remove a mixture of harmful compounds found in gasoline vapors. For the experiment, a collection of houseplants was chosen in sealed chambers that simulate a small system of plant walls. It turned out that during a typical workday, thanks to the vegetation, the level of some harmful compounds that can cause cancer decreased by more than 20% from the initial concentration.
Plant filters against gasoline compounds
Of course, the laboratory setup does not come close to the scale of real office spaces. However, scientists believe that the installation of vertical gardens will help improve air quality in a room or office. In their opinion, plant systems can complement energy-intensive ventilation and together enhance the effect of purifying the air in the space from harmful compounds.
It is worth noting that the new results obtained have not yet been peer-reviewed. However, previous studies have shown the ability of indoor plants to absorb gaseous compounds (VOCs). Although plant “purifiers” have typically been considered only for the removal of individual chemicals rather than complex mixtures. Moreover, the studies were conducted under controlled conditions and at levels that cannot be compared to real-world exposure.
The new study also utilized sealed chambers. Common houseplants (golden pothos, syngonium, spider plant) were chosen to purify the air from gasoline vapors, which are a significant source of VOCs.
As ecologist Fraser Torpy notes, the experiment proved that plant systems can remove most pollutants from indoor air within just a few hours. Moreover, they are most effective at “sucking up” the most harmful benzene compounds.
Why can vertical gardening indoors be beneficial?
During the study, the Torpi team used a plant wall made of 9 specially designed plexiglass boxes. Some of them contained 4 plants, while others were empty. A small volume of gasoline evaporated inside the chambers, and the researchers measured the gas levels.
Although gas leakage in each of the test boxes cannot be ruled out, scientists are confident that the plants removed approximately 43% of VOCs during the 8-hour experiment. Most of the removed gases consisted of three particularly harmful chemical classes: alkanes (98%), benzene derivatives (86%), and cyclopentane (88%).
These pollutants can have the most negative impact on people’s health. They can enter schools and buildings hundreds of meters away from gas stations and exceed safe levels in the air.
Researchers are aware that people living near gas stations are more likely to develop cancer (such as leukemia). Additionally, the deterioration of air quality can even be caused by garages near office buildings and homes. This is why the removal of these extremely harmful compounds can “significantly impact the maintenance of a healthy indoor environment,” as noted by the research group when speaking with journalists. ScienceAlert .
A complete greening system is needed, not just a few pots of plants.
Thanks to additional research, it has become clear that vertical gardens help purify the air. As Torpy notes, it has also been found that the higher the concentration of toxins in the air, the faster and more effectively plants remove those toxins. Thus, vegetation quickly adapts to growth conditions.
It should be noted that vertical greening systems consist of a significant number of potted plants equipped with air pumps. Therefore, they are much more effective compared to a collection of favorite houseplants on a kitchen shelf, of which thousands may be needed to make the air in the home cleaner.
Researchers note that a modest collection of plants alone cannot purify the air quickly enough to impact air quality. They can only lift one’s spirits.
The research is still ongoing.
The experimental complex of airtight boxes only partially simulates the real environment of a large office building with ventilation systems. However, commercial interest in green wall technologies is growing. This has been significantly boosted by the pandemic, which highlighted the importance of indoor air quality on a global scale.
Mr. Torpy notes that additional research is needed to test large commercial systems in various buildings. Only then can we fully understand whether plants will act as air purifiers with any advantage over current ventilation systems.
It is also necessary to investigate different types of vegetation and air filters and determine whether there is a critical saturation point for plants with gases. Additionally, it is important to check whether plant-based purifiers can absorb chemicals released from synthetic materials. All of this will further guide the study of the use of plants for effective air purification in indoor spaces.
