Different abilities of certain succulent plants in removing CO2 from the indoor environment of a hospital

Abstract

This paper deals with the different ability of certain succulent plants in absorbing CO2 from the hospital environments. Plants are known to remove CO2 during day by photosynthetic metabolism. CO2 increases during night in a small unit of space and time in the absence of a good air circulatory system and ventilation. Apicra deltoidea, Sedum pachyphyllum, Bryophyllum pinnata, and B. calycinum were employed as the succulent plants to remove the CO2 that accumulated in the experimental chamber and the rooms. Apicra deltoidea seems to be a very useful succulent plant in removing almost 80% of the accumulated CO2. Mixed succulent plants like Apicra deltoidea, Sedum pachyphyllum and Bryophyllum pinnata in a hospital room were observed to remove considerable amounts of CO2. Mixed succulent plants in the hospital rooms not only can be used to decorate the interior of the hospital environment and increae its aesthetic value but also be used to freshen the air quality and increase the comfort by removing CO2 and other unknown gases from the indoor environments.