Increasing indoor air quality by a natural sanitizing interior

Abstract

Low air quality is one of the most widespread reasons for diseases of respiratory, cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. The work aims to improve indoor air quality using the most natural method - indoor phytoncide plants. R. Koch's sedimentation method has been used. The rule of V. L. Omelianskyi calculated the total viable number. Phytoncide activity was estimated by tests of leaf disks in Petri dishes with evenly seeded microbes. Researches in a high school showed a very high total viable number after studies - up to 6000 CFU/cm3. Tests of leaf disks allowed ranging the commonly used indoor plants by phytoncide activity. The most active large-size plants are Citrus limon and Ficus benjamina. From small-size plants, Azalea and Fuchsia were recommended. Amaryllis and Phoenix dactylifera have the lowest phytoncide activity. Final tests of indoor air showed the possibility of decreasing the total viable number in the high school rooms 2.5-3.5 times.