Life givers: why houseplants in Hong Kong can be used to combat indoor air pollution
Plants keep us healthy, as they absorb the carbon dioxide that we expel, and release the oxygen that we take in. They can be put to best use in vertical or indoor gardens
House plants are no longer in vogue. Yet, now we need them more than ever for the sake of our health.
Indoor air in the modern home is, well, polluted. Not as bad as standing on a traffic island in Causeway Bay but certainly far from pure.
Air conditioning may draw outdoor pollutants in, but it doesn't expel them. They mix with emissions from plastic, synthetic furnishings, finishes, solvents, carpets, photocopiers, printers and building materials, to name just a few sources of nasties in the home.
“We use a whole lot of materials derived from fossil fuels that contribute to pollution, like furniture, paint and computers,” says Professor Margaret Burchett from the University of Technology Sydney, which tested the ability of indoor plants to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). “There's also more carbon dioxide as we all breathe together.”
Plants work with the potting mix to achieve the removal of pollutants remarkably quickly, while replenishing the oxygen in the atmosphere. The efficiency of this natural system is not diminished by night – it is working for you 24/7.
