Phytoremediation in the interior environment

Abstract

In modern interior design, the use of interior plants is becoming increasingly popular. Flowers, not only make the space more attractive and alive, it also plays a role in overall health as it improves air quality and reduces the concentrations of many pollutants. Inhalation of biological particles that are present in the interior, can have a great impact on human health. Exposure to toxins and susceptibility of individuals to indoor pollutants depends on the concentration of pollutants, duration and frequency of exposure, and the consequences of exposure to such air can be manifested through weakening of the immune system, transient morbidity, disease and even death in extreme cases. Phytoremediation is an efficient and economically viable way of using plants to remove toxins from the air, which has the effect of improving air quality in the interior as well. Interior air pollutants come from both non-biological (asbestos, formaldehyde, tobacco smoke, volatile organic compounds, CO2, SO2) and biological sources (house dust, fungi, bacteria, viruses and microorganisms). So far, numerous species of interior plants have been tested as phytoremediators in the interior, and the most effective have been the species belonging to the families: Moracae, Araceae, Crassulace, Palmae, Araliaceae, Pteridophyta, Orchidaceae and others. The following species stand out: Ficus sp., Phoenix sp., Chamaedorea sp., Phylodentron sp., Epipremnum sp., Spathiphyllum sp., Crassula ovata. It should not be forgotten that the choice of interior plants to alleviate indoor air pollution, as a phytoremediator, depends not only on their ability to clean the air, but also on the ease of cultivation and maintenance in the existing interior space, but of course on personal taste.