Phytomonitoring of Air Pollutants for Environmental Quality Management

A review of green systems within the indoor environment

“…Consequently, health professionals, architects, researchers and building industry undertook actions to improve IAQ through different systems and techniques. 45 In the 1980s, the NASA Clean Air Study presented some studies about the behaviour of plants regarding IAQ. Its results suggested that certain common indoor plants may provide a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene from the air.…”

“…12 Other studies showed that vegetation with rough surfaces and fine hairs or raised veins seem more effective in intercepting PM than smooth vegetation, and plant roots may absorb some pollutants and render them harmless in the soil. 22,45 While some researchers found that vegetation may improve worker productivity and creativity 4,12,58 other researchers found that vegetation may improve occupant comfort and their overall perception of the quality of their environment creating a more desirable place to work. 13,59,60 Some benefits perceived by workers using vegetation within the working environment that have been put forward are enhanced collaboration amongst staff, including across teams, improved morale, reduced stress and decreased absenteeism.…”

“…63 According to Soreanu et al, 47 about 120 individual plants species have been analysed by different researchers in several pot-based studies for VOC removal and the following was concluded: (1) the common tropical house plants Janet Craig and Peace Lily were the most studied but not the best performing potted plants 69,70 and (2) the best performing plants seem to be Purple waffle, Purple heart, English Ivy, Asparagus fern, Variegated wax 69 and Crassula portulacea. 62 Upadhyay and Kobayashi 45 pointed out that plants with a large leaf surface area are more suitable for removing pollutants. Clausen et al 71 recommended to use a large leaf surface area in combination with an appropriate ventilation rate to obtain an appropriate performance with potted plants.…”

“…The early recognition of pollutant damage to plants, notably characteristic visible foliar symptoms, acts as an alarm for toxic dangers to humans and their environment. 45 Many air pollutants reduce plant growth, partly through their negative effects on photosynthesis. For instance, pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and ozone (O 3 ), which enter the leaf through stomata, directly damaged the photosynthetic cells of the leaf.…”