Foliage plants for removing indoor air pollutants from energy-efficient homes

Abstract

A sealed, Plexiglas chamber with temperature and humidity control and illuminated externally with wide spectrum grow lights was used to evaluate the ability of golden pothos (Scindapsus aureus), nephthytis (Syngonium podophyllum), and spider plant (Chlorophytum elatum var. vittatum) to effect the removal of formaldehyde from contaminated air at initial concentrations of 15-37 ppm. Under the conditions of this study, the spider plant proved most efficient by sorbing and/ or effecting the removal of up to 2.27 fig formaldehyde per cm 2 leaf surface area in 6 h of exposure. The immediate application of this new botanical air-purification system should be in energy-efficient homes that have a high risk of this organic concentrating in the air, due to outgassing of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, particleboard, fabrics and various other synthetic materials. © 1984 The New York Botanical Garden.