The focus on energy conservation has made buildings tighter, allowing less air exchange. This can result in "Sick Building Syndrome," with pollutants trapped inside causing symptoms such as sensory irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; neurotoxic or general health problems; skin irritation; nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions; and odor and taste sensations.
Causes include flaws in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; contaminants produced by outgassing from some building materials (volatile organic compounds, or VOCs); molds; improper exhaust ventilation of ozone; light industrial chemicals used within a building; or poor fresh-air intake location and inadequate air filtration.
Three major pollutants—formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene—are common in building materials, cleaning products, paint, adhesives, varnishes, and oils found in homes and workplaces.
If you're looking for an inexpensive and easy way to improve indoor air quality, consider the common houseplant, according to a study by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA). NASA originally researched air purification for space stations, and the study found practical indoor applications: houseplants can both brighten a space and help remove harmful pollutants.
So how could a little houseplant get rid of these nasty, dangerous air contaminants when sophisticated, powerful HVAC systems can't seem to manage the job?
The answer: to survive, houseplants use photosynthesis to produce food from carbon dioxide and hydrogen, converting light energy absorbed by chlorophyll in the leaves. Because plants efficiently absorb these gases, they can also take up other airborne gases, including some indoor pollutants.
Photosynthesis also releases oxygen, so having plants around not only removes some pollutants but refreshes indoor air.
The NASA/ALCA study found that some houseplants were better than others at removing specific pollutants. For example, bamboo palm, peace lily, golden pathos, red-edged dracaena, and spider plant were effective at filtering formaldehyde. Peace lily, English ivy, and bamboo palm worked well for removing benzene, while peace lily and bamboo palm were effective for trichloroethylene.
For more on building efficiency and related safety considerations, see Energy Conservation and Building Safety. For information about contaminants, cleanup, and workplace risks, see Hazardous Materials and Workplace Safety.
If you have concerns about indoor air quality or building materials, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can houseplants remove all indoor air pollutants?
Houseplants can help reduce some volatile organic compounds and refresh air with oxygen, but they are not a complete replacement for proper ventilation and filtration.
Which indoor pollutants are most important to address?
Common concerns include VOCs (like formaldehyde and benzene), mold spores, and combustion byproducts; addressing ventilation and source control is important.
How can I reduce sick building symptoms besides using plants?
Improve ventilation, maintain HVAC systems, control humidity, remove or seal pollutant sources, and use appropriate air filtration to reduce symptoms.
When should I test for mold or chemical contamination?
Consider testing when occupants experience persistent symptoms, there is visible mold or water damage, or after a known chemical release or spill.