Living Plants and Clean Air

This is a case study examining the effect of living plants on clean air, i.e. on the air we breathe, and on oxygen levels in any commercial or residential environment.

We’ve all known since grade school that indoor plants clean the air we breathe. Foliage and flowering plants that are commonly found in modern office environments, hotels, malls, and building lobbies originate in the tropical rainforests of the world. As we have learned, the rainforests of the world serve as the “lungs of the earth”.

Our most fundamental knowledge of live plants tells us that as photosynthesis occurs, toxins are cleansed from the air and oxygen is produced. It was this premise in nature that led NASA scientists to investigate the use of living plants in our quest for long term survivability in space. Beginning in the late 1970’s, NASA research scientist Dr. B.C. Wolverton began the research that would ultimately lead to the fact that living plants utilized in our homes and offices would help to cleanse the air that we breathe. It is now recognized that many synthetic toxins, now found in our living environments can cause harm in a modern (tight) office environment. As we began to seal buildings to save energy, research has demonstrated that clean air inside a building is more important than ever.

We have scientific evidence that the synthetic toxins taken in by the indoor plants are metabolized and turned into oxygen. There are no negatives associated with healthy plant material, properly maintained in commercial or residential environments. Rather, there are many reasons to include a living plant program in a commercial environment. Clean air, increased productivity, stress reduction, and reduced sick days are just a few of the many documented reasons to include professional plant services in any commercial project.

Over the years, Wolverton’s research has been expanded and replicated by many environmental scientists. Although no one is claiming that living green or flowering plants can totally cure the “sick building syndrome”, Dr. Wolverton, and many others clearly state that green or flowering plants should be an integral part of the solution. “The more indoor plants you have, the healthier the environment is going to be”, states Wolverton.

The research suggests that two office plants per 100 square feet would be suggested to help improve the interior environment. In a typical office space, this might translate to one table or shelf plant, and one medium floor plant.

Southern Botanical, Dallas, TX provides high quality indoor and outdoor landscape and irrigation installation and maintenance services in the DFW area.  We are the one vendor for your complete interior and exterior horticultural décor.