The results from a new empirical study have revealed that houseplants can efficiently remove toxic gasoline fumes, including cancer causing compounds such as benzene, from indoor air.
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Why this discovery is important
Offices and residential apartment buildings often connect directly to parking garages, either by doors or elevator shafts, making it difficult to avoid harmful gasoline-related compounds seeping into work and residential areas. Many buildings are also exposed to gasoline fumes from nearby roads and highways.
Breathing gasoline fumes can lead to lung irritation, headaches and nausea, and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, asthma and other chronic diseases from longer term exposure, contributing to decreased life expectancy.
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The bigger picture
According to the World Health Organization, indoor air quality is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths globally. As most people spend 90% of their time indoors at home, school or the workplace, adopting new strategies to improve air quality is critical.
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Findings overview
The researchers discovered that a mix of indoor houseplants was highly effective at removing harmful, cancer-causing pollutants, with 97 per cent of the most toxic compounds removed from the surrounding air in just eight hours.
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April
Chemical Free Life 