INDOOR PLANTS scientifically proven to be effective air purifiers

An extensive study by Dr Wolverton of NASA confirms that indoor plants improve air quality.

The NASA report confirms the ability of plants to successfully filter volatile organic compounds (commonly called VOC’s, ie benzene and ammonia) from the air. This fact is fully supported by the US Environmental Protection Agency who state that indoor air pollution present a threat to human life. The EPA has found that toxin levels in climate controlled or sealed building can be anywhere between 10 and 1000 times more concentrated than that experienced outdoors.

The quality of the air we breathe is important to our health, fitness and well-being. In closed environments the ‘flow’ of air is confined and is contaminated by VOC’s released from furniture, paint, clothing, floors etc and from people! Unhealthy office environments are counterproductive.

The primary cause of many acute and chronic illnesses in the workplace can be directly attributed to the existence of uncontrolled air pollutants. Skin, eye and upper respiratory tract irritation often result from the presence of VOC’s. Asthma, headaches and several chronic diseases have all been linked to VOC’s. In a report tabled by the World Health Organisation in 2002, they state that VOC’s could be responsible for over 1,6m deaths each year.

A study undertaken by the University of Norway at the Statoil offices in Oslo, confirmed that the presence of indoor plants reduce levels of discomfort. Significant improvements in the levels of common office related symptoms were found when indoor plants were present:

• 32% reduction in fatigue
• 45% reduction in headaches
• 22% reduction in dry or sore throats
• 38% reduction in coughs
• 11% reduction in dry facial skin

In addition to playing an essential role in removing toxins from the air, indoor plants dramatically improve the aesthetic appeal of a modern office and have a positive effect of the overall psychological wellbeing of workers.

All in all, the inclusion of plants has now become a prerequisite when planning a healthy and thereby more efficient office environment.
Source: Interior Plantscapers Association of South Africa www.ipsa.za.com

Source: Interior Plantscapers Association of South Africa www.ipsa.za.com