unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/02/89)
NASA: STUDY SHOWS COMMON PLANTS HELP REDUCE INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
Posting Date: 09/30/89
UNITEX Network, USA ISSN: 1043-7932
NOTE: ALL NASA NEWS PORTED TO UNITEX Via NASA Database....
James Ball Headquarters, Washington, D.C. September 26, 1989
(Phone: 202/453-2927)
Myron Webb Stennis Space Center, Miss.
(Phone: 601/688-1413)
Common indoor plants may provide a valuable weapon in the fight
against rising levels of indoor air pollution, based on research
conducted by NASA.
NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA)
today announced the findings of a 2-year study that suggests the
common indoor plant may provide a natural way of combating "sick
building" syndrome -- an acute incidence of indoor air pollution
that can occur in closed or poorly ventilated offices and
residences.
Research into the use of biological processes, as a means of
solving environmental problems both on Earth and in space
habitats, has been carried out for many years by Dr. Bill
Wolverton, a senior research scientist at NASA's John C. Stennis
Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.
Based on preliminary evaluations of the use of common indoor
plants for indoor air purification and revitalization, ALCA
joined NASA to fund a study of about a dozen popular varieties of
ornamental plants to determine their effectiveness in removing
several key pollutants associated with indoor air pollution.
While more research is needed, Wolverton says the study has
shown that common landscaping plants can remove certain
pollutants from the indoor environment. "We feel that future
results will provide an even stronger argument that common
landscaping plants can be a very effective part of a system used
to provide pollution-free homes and work places," he concludes.
Each plant type was placed in sealed, plexiglass chambers in
which chemicals were injected. Philodendron, spider plant and
the golden pothos were labeled as the most effective in removing
formaldehyde. Flowering plants such as the gerbera daisy and
chrysanthemums were rated superior in removing benzene from the
chamber atmosphere.
Other plants demonstrated to be effective air purifiers include
the bamboo palm, peace lily, ficus, mass cane, mother-in- law's
tongue, English ivy and Chinese evergreen.
"Plants take substances out of the air through the tiny openings
in their leaves," Wolverton said. "But research in our
laboratories has determined that plant leaves, roots and soil
bacteria are all important in removing trace levels of toxic
vapors."
"Combining nature with technology can increase the effectiveness
of plants in removing air pollutants," he said. A living air
cleaner is created by combining activated carbon and a fan with
a potted plant. "The roots of the plant grow right into the
carbon and slowly degrade the chemicals absorbed there,"
Wolverton explains.
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