Indoor Air Pollution: Management and Way forward

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as defined by USEPA refers to the air quality within and around buildings directly related to the health and comfort of the occupants. Indoor Air Pollution is the degradation of IAQ by harmful chemicals. According to some of the scientific literature, IAQ can be up to 10 times worse than outdoor air. Primarily Indoor air pollution is caused by incomplete combustion, building materials, and bioaerosols. Some other indoor air pollutants may include Volatile organic Matter, smoke from tobacco, cow dung cake, fumes from paints, polishes, household cleaning products, and some cosmetic materials.

Inadequate or insufficient ventilation in the houses builds up the level of pollutants as they don’t allow the fresh air to pass that dilutes the level of the pollutants during normal air movement. 

Occasionally, many of us have been to such a place (hotels, lodge, and even quarters) that even don’t have a single window or skylight for ventilation. So, what needs to be done to improve the indoor air quality of such places ??  

The answer to this is “Indoor plants”. They cannot remove or absorb the entire pollutant but they can do wonders. During our childhood, we all have learned a simple process called Photosynthesis (you remember?? don’t you?) in which plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. In a similar context, there are some indoor air purifier plants that absorb harmful toxins and detoxify the air we breathe. 

Such plants have several other advantages also. Even NASA has tested the efficiency of such plants in a controlled chamber (Landmark,1989) to examine the competency of such plants to absorb pollutants. The same study also recommended that approx two or more plants per 100 square feet are required for maximum benefits.  Contemporary to this, a recent study carried out at DrexelUniversity claims that indoor plants are not much efficient in cleaning the ambient air quickly, and very large numbers of such plants are required to have an effect on air quality. Though both the findings are subject to rigorous discussions. 

Apart from the research aspects of indoor plants in the present scenario, these plants are also being used as an item of interior decorations in houses, offices, and other places around the globe. Here is a list of few indoor plants that have been studied to absorbs pollutants and are readily available & can be grown indoors easily. 

1- Variegated Snake plant or Sansevieria trifasciata – Can survive even in toughest conditions without light and water for weeks, beautiful deep green hardy succulent. 

2- Spider Plant or Chlorophytum comosum - Best option for beginners, works hard to absorbs formaldehyde. Upon maturation produce "baby spiderettes" that can be removed and multiplied into large numbers. 

3- Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis Miller- Fast growing succulent known for removal of benzene and formaldehyde. Gel used as ayurvedic medicines to treat several diseases.

4- Peace lily or Spathiphyllum - Easy care plants require less light. Known for absorbing carbon monoxide.

5- Rubber Plant or Ficus elastica- Stress tolerant plant, known for its economic value, absorbs carbon dioxide and monoxide, requires less water and light. 

6- Pothos or money plant or Epipremnum aureum- Best proven indoor plant by NASA, known to absorbs benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde.

7- Ficus or Ficus benjamina- Requires less water and sunlight, known for tackling levels of xylene and toluene.

8- Broad Lady Palm or Rhapis excelsa - Also known as Lady palm. Absorbs nitrogen oxide, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene. 

9- Areca Palm or Dypsis lutescens - Most effective air purifying plant according to NASA ratings, absorbs a mixture of indoor as well as outdoor gaseous pollutants.

10- Mass cane/Corn Plant or Dracaena fragrans - Leaf color varies from light green to yellow. Popular in the dracaena family for removal of formaldehyde.

These indoor plants apart from absorbing pollutants provide several benefits like, adding vibrancy and color to surroundings, relaxing the environment, reducing stress, and also provide a breath of fresh air and a sense of positivity and calmness around the corner. Majority of such plants can withstand stress i.e. easy to grow even in odd conditions and require minimal water and sunlight.  

There are numerous evidence known to be interlinked with morbidity and poor indoor air quality. Yet, the data pertaining to the indoor air quality in India is very sketchy and require  augmented study focusing upon the exposure of pollutants with epidemiological data. 

Though there are some agencies like CPCB, CSIR-NEERI that are explicitly working in air pollution control and management. Recently a new platform named as IndAIR (National repository for Indian air quality) has been launched by CSIR-NEERI that summarizes all the available literature pertaining to India’s air quality. 

Lack of knowledge and poor public participation on the air quality issues are some of the areas that need to be worked upon in the coming year. At the same time, one can also contribute his bit by planting a sapling (indoors/outdoors). I have got many such plants. Do you?? if not, go and get one..