Phytoremediation of formaldehyde from indoor environment by ornamental plants: An approach to promote occupants health

Abstract

Background:Formaldehyde is a common hazardous indoor air pollutant which recently raised public concerns due to its well-known carcinogenic effects on human. The aim of this study was to investigate a potted plant-soil system ability in formaldehyde removal from a poor ventilated indoor air to promote dwellers health.Methods:For this purpose, we used one of the common interior plants from the fern species (Nephrolepis obliterata), inside a Plexiglas chamber under controlled environment. Entire plant removal efficiency and potted soil/roots contribution were determined by continuously introducing different formaldehyde vapor concentrations to the chamber (0.6–11 mg/m3) each over a 48-h period. Sampling was conducted from inlet and outlet of the chamber every morning and evening over the study period, and the average of each stage was reported.Results:The results showed that the N. obliterata plant efficiently removed formaldehyde from the polluted air by 90%–100%, depending on the inlet concentrations, in a long time exposure. The contribution of the soil and roots for formaldehyde elimination was 26%. Evaluation of the plant growing characteristics showed that the fumigation did not affect the chlorophyll content, carotenoid, and average height of the plant; however, a decrease in the plant water content was observed.Conclusions:According to the results of this study, phytoremediation of volatile organic compound-contaminated indoor air by the ornamental potted plants is an effective method which can be economically applicable in buildings. The fern species tested here had high potential to improve interior environments where formaldehyde emission is a health concern.

Analysis of Larch-Bark Capacity for Formaldehyde Removal in Wood Adhesives

“…Regarding the main causes of SBS, one can include volatile organic compounds (e.g., formaldehyde) discharged from the adhesives, finishing materials, paint used for furniture and buildings, and building materials (e.g., insulation) [5]. Many materials can absorb formaldehyde released into the atmosphere, e.g., wool [6], ornamental plants [7,8], building materials with adsorption potentials [9], or tree bark [5,10].…”

Efectividad de Sansevieria trifasciata y Spathiphyllum para purificar el formaldehído en ambientes interiores

“…Estos resultados sugieren que el gas formaldehído no da ñ ó la planta, sino que, al contrario, parece haber contribuido positivamente a su desarrollo como lo demuestran otras investigaciones donde han demostrado un fen ómeno similar en otras especies de plantas, como la Hedera hélix y el Chrysanthemum morifolium (Sawada et al, 2005;Wei et al, 2017). Estos hallazgos subrayan el amplio potencial de diversas especies para su uso en la reducci ón de gases nocivos en ambientes interiores, mediante el proceso conocido como fitorremediaci ón entendiendo este proceso como la capacidad de las plantas para ab-sorber y acumular contaminantes presentes en el aire, como los compuestos orgánicos voláti-les, con altos niveles de eficiencia (Aydogan y Montoya , 2011;Teiri et al , 2018).…”

Autoxidation of glycols used in inhalable daily products: implications for the use of artificial fogs and e-cigarettes

“…41 These aldehydes are oen released indoors as the product of organic combustion, bacterial activity, or atmospheric oxidation. [42][43][44][45] Our previous study also highlighted the need to nd stronger evidence for the occurrence of autoxidation as well as the conditions under which autoxidation is favored. The presence of peroxides is an indicator of autoxidation, whose concentration reects the extent and the rate of the reaction.…”

“…41 These aldehydes are often released indoors as the product of organic combustion, bacterial activity, or atmospheric oxidation. 42–45…”