Air Cleaning Polycultures for the Home
Air Cleaning Polycultures for the Home
With
growing trends of urbanization and people spending more of their time
indoors, the quality of indoor air is an important health consideration.
Homes in cold climates reduce airflow as windows close and most
apartment builds offer little ventilation. The increased use of
synthetic materials over natural fibers and minerals, along with
chemicals used in building materials have brought increased volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) into the home and work place. These air born
VOCs range from carcinogens like formaldehyde to petrochemicals
like benzene and xylene. This is added to more familiar household
chemicals such as alcohols and ammonia. Obvious sources like paints and
adhesives combine with subtle sources like grocery bags, cosmetics,
paper towels, and upholstery. All emit this wide range of chemicals into
our indoor spaces and the air we breath.
As
building practices better seal buildings from outdoor air, we are also
creating the problem of trapping these air born chemicals indoors. When
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began
researching how to maintain a healthy indoor environment for astronauts
traveling to the moon (which is an excellent extreme example of our
indoor air problems, they needed to address high amounts of chemical
emissions and with no possibility of outdoor air exchange) they quickly
realized that the best air and water filters were not products of their
own engineering, but from nature: plants.
A
series of studies conducted by NASA and Wolverton Environmental
Services, Inc. assessed the air-cleaning properties of a wide range of
common indoor plants, identifying their varying capacities for chemical
removal. Subsequent studies have also found microorganisms in the
potting substrate important contributors to emission absorption. The
collection of plants that have been identified as air-cleaning species
can grow in a large range of indoor
environments. Furthermore, their use is not limited to air cleaning
potential; for all of these plants can contribute additional functions
to our indoor spaces whether it be ornamental, medicinal, or edible.
Taking into consideration the unique micro-climates and need of your
home, you can build your own efficient air filtration system with a
polyculture of air cleaning plants. The Natural Capital Pant Database
has documented these plants to help subscribers build their own air
cleaning polycultures for indoor use.
Two polycultures for indoor air cleaning
Indoor air-cleaning polyculture 1:
- -Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- -Sword Fern/Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- -Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
- -Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
- -Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
- -Australian Sword Fern/Kimberley Queen(Nephrolepis obliterata)
Features:
Best in part to full shade and high humidity, have high transpiration
rates, sensitive to cold temperatures, all grown for their foliage with
the exception of the peace lily (which has a white spathe/spadix
structure).
Chemicals removed: Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, acetone, toluene, xylene, ammonia, alcohols, carbon monoxide.
Indoor air-cleaning polyculture 2:
- -Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
- -Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
- -Ficus Alii (Ficus macleilandii 'Alii')
- -Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
- -Aloe (Aloe vera)
Features:
Best in full sun to part sun, low humidity requirements, med-high
temperature requirements, high insect resistance, very ornamental plants
with varying textures and colors.
Chemicals removed: Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene, ammonia
Comments