Effectiveness of Indoor Plant to Reduce CO2in Indoor Environment

Mohd Mahathir Suhaimi,Paran Gani,S.N Mohd Dzulkifli,A.M Leman,Ahmad Fu’Ad Idris,Azian Hariri,Azizi Afandi,M.J Zainorizuan,L Alvin John Meng Siang,A Mohd Shalahuddin,R Siti Nazahiyah,L Yee Yong,O Mohamad Hanifi

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201710305004

Abstract

Modern country strongly emphasizes on indoor air quality (IAQ) because it can effect on human health and productivity. Numerous efforts were performed to make sure that sustainability of IAQ is guaranteed. In the last 4 th decade, researchers discover that indoor plants have abilities to reduce indoor air pollution. Generally, plants, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), light, and temperature involve in the photosynthesis process. This paper intends to study the effectiveness of seven indoor plants (Anthurium, Dumb Cane, Golden Pothos, Kadaka Fern, Prayer Plant, Spider Plant, and Syngonium) to reduce CO 2 with different light level. This study was conducted in one cubic meter of chamber, and each plant was put into the chamber individually with CO 2 concentration in the chamber is set at 1000±50ppm, and light intensities is set at 300 and 700 lux, while temperature were fixed at 25±1°C. Based on the results, only the Spider Plant was not able to absorb CO 2 during the test at 300 lux of light intensity. Meanwhile, Prayer Plant performed well when tested at 300 or 700 lux of light intensity compare to other investigates plants. This study can conclude that light intensity play an important role for the plant to absorb CO2 effectively. All the indoor plants absorbed more CO 2 , when the light intensity is increased.

Highlights

IntroductionThere is lack of study, data and local regulation contributing toward health problem especially at Malaysian non-industrial sector [1]
The finding of this study indicated that level of light intensity greatly influenced indoor plants to absorb CO2 during the experiment
This study reveals that only Spider Plant not able to absorb CO2 during the test using 300 lux of light intensity

Summary

Introduction

There is lack of study, data and local regulation contributing toward health problem especially at Malaysian non-industrial sector [1]. IAQ must be preserved wisely because around 90% of the time people spent are at the indoor environment [2, 3]. Air quality significantly effect on human health and attributed the quality of life [4]. There are many sources of pollutants like total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), even carcinogen (e.g. arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, and vinyl chloride) that may have in the building which cause deterioration of IAQ [6]. CO2 contribute to indoor air pollution [7]. CO2 is a IAQ problem when the concentration is increased above threshold limit [9]. Effects of CO2 on human are include respiratory and heart problems [7]

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion