Abstract
The objective of this study is to study the air cleaning ability of indoor plants and to find easier ways of its application. Carbon dioxide, the index of gas pollutant and formaldehyde, found in almost every indoor equipment were chosen to implement the air cleaning experiments. Selected plants in this study were 6 types; Ficus benjamina, Epipremnum aureum, Chamaedorea elegans, Fatsia japonica, Spathiphyllum spp. and Hedera helix. Measuring photosynthesis and breathing volume of each plant for 24 hours, total volume of carbon dioxide reduction for each plant was calculated; Ficus benjamina 49ppm, Epipremnum aureum 99ppm, Chamaedorea elegans 34ppm, Fatsia japonica 123ppm, Spathiphyllum spp. 115ppm, and Hedera helix 42ppm (leaf area unit: 1000Cm2). The time frame, in which the maximum instantaneous consumption of carbon dioxide was shown, was different for each plant; in most cases, the highest absorption rate of carbon dioxide was seen in 0.67~1.54 mW/Cm3 of light quantity. Injecting low concentration formaldehyde (250ppb) and comparing control group in darkened chamber, total volume of formaldehyde reduction for each plant was calculated; Ficus benjamina 128.6ppb, Epipremnum aureum 152ppb, Chamaedorea elegans 127.8ppb, Fatsia japonica 165.9ppb, Spathiphyllum spp. 156ppb, Hedera helix 115ppb (leaf area unit: 1000Cm2). Using statistical program SPSS 7.0, correlation analysis regarding instantaneous consumption volume of carbon dioxide and formaldehyde for each plant was implemented. Thanks to the conversion formula stated below, concentration of formaldehyde in indoor air and purification power of each plant were easily calculated. For 250ppb of formaldehyde, Y(HCHO consumption rate of all plants, ppb) = 0.387X (CO2 consumption rate of all plants, ppm) + 0.758. It was confirmed that plants can reduce indoor air pollutant from the simple fact; plants must absorb gas pollutants in the process of photosynthesis. Although it takes longer time to eliminate indoor air pollutants than mechanical air cleaners, it is the most environment-friendly method; less costs, continuous air purification and making no secondary pollutants.
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