Department of Occupational Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , abbas74beyranvand@gmail.com
Abstract: (40 Views)
Background and aims: Nowadays, indoor air quality has become a growing concern due to the presence of suspended particles and associated health risk factors. Improving air quality is directly linked to enhanced quality of life and economic benefits. Houseplants, with their ability to capture gases, particles, and aerosols, can serve as a cost-effective and efficient method for removing and reducing airborne pollutants.
Methods: In this basic science study, three pots of each of the eight selected plant species were exposed to a specific concentration of pollutant particles (mean concentration of PM2.5= 5 μg/m³ and PM10= 50 μg/m³) in a pilot environment. The leaves were washed in two stages with water and chloroform, and filtration with various pore sizes determined the size of the collected particles. Microscopic images were taken from the leaf surface to assess micromorphological characteristics. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software with 95% confidence, and ANOVA followed by Tukey's test was used to compare mean particle adsorption among the plants.
Results:All eight plant species exhibited varying abilities to absorb particles (P-value < 0.05). The average absorption of PM10 particles was 21.54 μg/cm², with the spiderwort plant (Tradescantia) showing the highest adsorption at 28.09 μg/cm². For PM2.5 particles, the coleus plant demonstrated the highest adsorption capacity at 4.72 μg/cm².
Conclusion: The difference in the efficiency of houseplants in adsorbing particles indicates that, alongside their aesthetic features, their ability to capture particles can be utilized to reduce air pollution in workplaces.
Methods: In this basic science study, three pots of each of the eight selected plant species were exposed to a specific concentration of pollutant particles (mean concentration of PM2.5= 5 μg/m³ and PM10= 50 μg/m³) in a pilot environment. The leaves were washed in two stages with water and chloroform, and filtration with various pore sizes determined the size of the collected particles. Microscopic images were taken from the leaf surface to assess micromorphological characteristics. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software with 95% confidence, and ANOVA followed by Tukey's test was used to compare mean particle adsorption among the plants.
Results:All eight plant species exhibited varying abilities to absorb particles (P-value < 0.05). The average absorption of PM10 particles was 21.54 μg/cm², with the spiderwort plant (Tradescantia) showing the highest adsorption at 28.09 μg/cm². For PM2.5 particles, the coleus plant demonstrated the highest adsorption capacity at 4.72 μg/cm².
Conclusion: The difference in the efficiency of houseplants in adsorbing particles indicates that, alongside their aesthetic features, their ability to capture particles can be utilized to reduce air pollution in workplaces.
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