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Environ Sci Pollut Res Int

Title:		Can ornamental potted plants remove volatile organic compounds from indoor air? A review
Author(s):		Dela Cruz M; Christensen JH; Thomsen JD; Muller R;
Address:		"Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, HojbakkegardAlle 30, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark, mjha@plen.ku.dk"
Journal Title:		Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
Year:		2014
Volume:		20140725
Issue:		24
Page Number:		13909 - 13928
DOI:		10.1007/s11356-014-3240-x
ISSN/ISBN:		1614-7499 (Electronic) 0944-1344 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in indoor air, and many of these can affect human health (e.g. formaldehyde and benzene are carcinogenic). Plants affect the levels of VOCs in indoor environments, thus they represent a potential green solution for improving indoor air quality that at the same time can improve human health. This article reviews scientific studies of plants' ability to remove VOCs from indoor air. The focus of the review is on pathways of VOC removal by the plants and factors affecting the efficiency and rate of VOC removal by plants. Laboratory based studies indicate that plant induced removal of VOCs is a combination of direct (e.g. absorption) and indirect (e.g. biotransformation by microorganisms) mechanisms. They also demonstrate that plants' rate of reducing the level of VOCs is influenced by a number of factors such as plant species, light intensity and VOC concentration. For instance, an increase in light intensity has in some studies been shown to lead to an increase in removal of a pollutant. Studies conducted in real-life settings such as offices and homes are few and show mixed results"
Keywords:		"Air Pollutants/*metabolism Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis Humans Plants/*metabolism Volatile Organic Compounds/*metabolism;"
Notes:		"MedlineDela Cruz, Majbrit Christensen, Jan H Thomsen, Jane Dyrhauge Muller, Renate eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review Germany 2014/07/25 Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 Dec; 21(24):13909-28. doi: 10.1007/s11356-014-3240-x. Epub 2014 Jul 25"