Indoor Plants Cut Air Pollution, Cool Rooms by 4.5°C
A new study by the Global Centre for Clean Air Research finds that indoor plants can remove volatile organic compounds and reduce temperatures, but effectiveness varies depending on factors like ventilation and plant species
A team of 35 international experts led by Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) has found that indoor plants can improve air quality and cooling, with potential temperature reductions of 0.5-4.5 degrees Celsius near the plants.
The study, which reviewed several studies on the performance of indoor greenery, found that indoor plants can help remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. VOCs are gases released by everyday products including paints, furniture, and cleaning products.
Systems that actively draw air through plants and their growing materials were often more effective at removing pollutants under controlled conditions. However, the effectiveness of indoor greening varies depending on factors like ventilation, lighting, plant species, and the type of system used.
The study's findings suggest that indoor greening has the potential to improve indoor comfort and reduce reliance on air conditioning. Professor Prashant Kumar, co-director of the Institute for Sustainability and founding director of GCARE, highlighted the need to better understand how outdoor conditions and climate change could affect indoor greening.
## What happens next The team identified opportunities to strengthen the evidence behind indoor greening, as many of the studies were conducted in laboratories rather than realistic conditions. Further research is needed to understand how plants perform inside real-world environments and over time.
## Why it matters The study's findings have significant implications for indoor air quality and cooling. With the ability to remove VOCs and reduce temperatures, indoor plants could play a crucial role in improving the spaces where we live and work. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, indoor greening could be a simple yet effective solution to improve indoor comfort and reduce our reliance on air conditioning.
The study's results are a reminder that even small changes to our indoor environments can have a significant impact on our health and wellbeing. By incorporating indoor plants into our homes and workplaces, we can create healthier, more sustainable spaces that benefit both people and the planet.
