Volume : 10, Issue : 9, SEP 2024

HOUSE PLANTS COMBATING INDOOR POLLUTION AND RELIEVING SICK BUILDING SYNDROME

MRS. MADHULIKA PARMAR

Abstract

In most of the urban dwellers, there is dearth of greenery and open spaces resulting in continuous confinement of people indoors without any access to greenery leading to Sick Building Syndrome. The increased energy efficiency of newer buildings with substantially reduced air exchange rates often results in an increase in the concentration of indoor air pollutants. NASA studies have found that indoor air pollution average 2-5 times higher than outdoors. The average person spends nearly 90% of his time inside, predominantly in homes, offices and schools and thus is refrained from exposure to a natural environment that is physically and mentally healthy. So, one has a smart choice to create a personal breathing zone by growing plants indoor. Researchers show that the air in plant-filled green rooms contains 50-60% fewer airborne moulds and bacteria compared to its equivalent. House planting can serve as the most efficient way to decrease the degree of SBS symptoms as well as to regulate indoor air quality. Further regardless of the design and style, house plants blend seamlessly in every indoor setting. In recent years, house plants have become increasingly popular for interior decoration as well.

This review highlights the hazardous impacts of indoor air pollution to which most of the urban citizens are exposed, degrading their quality of life by making them physically and mentally disturbed which has been linked to Sick Building Syndrome. This paper also draws our attention towards a way of getting rid of this problem and the solution is to GO GREEN AND NATURAL. The benefits of the indoor plants are of great importance for indoor environment quality. Indoor plants help in purifying air, deter illness, ease tension, create a relaxed and happy atmosphere leading to work better through improved concentration, enhanced creativity, increased productivity and enriched overall well-being.

Article : Download PDF

Cite This Article

-

Article No : 21

Number of Downloads : 254

References

1. Lim, Y. W.,Yang, J. Y., Kim, H. H., Lee, Y. G., Kim, Y. S., Jang, S. K., Son, J. R., Roh, Y. M., and Shin, D. C., 2006,“Health risk assessment in terms of VOC at newly built apartment house,” J. Kor. Soc. Indoor Environ., 3, pp. 211–223.

2. Yang, X., J. Srebric, X. Li. and G. He. 2004. Performance of three air distribution systems in VOC removal from an area source. Building Environ. 39: 1289-1299.

3. Craighead, J. E., 1995, “Indoor air quality and pollution,” In: Craighead, J. E. (ed.). Pathology of Environmental and Occupational Disease. Mosby Year Book, St. Louis, pp. 29–39.

4. Sullivan Jr., J. B., Van Ert, M. D., Krieger, G. R., and Brooks, B. O., 2001, “Indoor environmental quality and health. In: J. B. Sullivan Jr. and G. R. Krieger (eds.). Clinical environmental health and toxic exposures (2nd ed., p),” Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a Walter Kluwer Co., Philadelphia, PA, USA, pp. 669–704.

5. Wolkoff, P.,2003, “Trends in Europe to reduce the indoor air pollution of VOCs,” Indoor Air 13 (6), pp. 5–11.

6. World Health Organization. (‎2009)‎. Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks. World Health Organization.

7. Shinohara, N., Mizukoshi, A., and Yangisawa, Y, 2004, “Identification of responsible volatile chemicals that induce hypersensitive reactions to multiple chemical sensitivity patients,” J. Expo. Anal. Environ. Epidemiol, 14, pp. 84-91.

8. WHO (1983), “Indoor Pollutants: Exposure and Health Effects,” Report of a WHO Meeting, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen.

9. Seppanen, O., and Fisk, W.J. (2006), “A procedure to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the indoor environment improvements in office work”, in Clements-Croome, D. (Ed.), Creating the Productive Workplace, Taylor & Francis, London.

10. Schmitz, H.,Hilgers, U., and Weidner, M., 2000,“Assimilation and metabolism of formaldehyde by leaves appear unlikely to be of value for indoor air purification,” New Phytol, 147(2), pp. 307–315.

11. Orwell, R. L., Wood, R. A., Burchett, M. D., Tarran, J., and Torpy, F., 2006, “The Potted-Plant Microcosm Substantially Reduces Indoor Air VOC Pollution: II. Laboratory Study, Water, Air, Soil Pollution,” 177, pp. 59–80.

12. http://youtu.be/2PNG7iFgf2c/9 Sep 2019.