Showing posts with label Ozone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ozone. Show all posts

Sunday, September 20, 2009

House plants to cut Indoor Ozone !

We know that ozone, the main component of air pollution or smog, is a highly reactive, colorless gas formed when oxygen reacts with other chemicals. And ozone pollution is most often associated with outdoor air, the gas also infiltrates indoor environments like homes and offices. And that is why those who have allergy like 'morning sneeze' will be advised by doctors to avoid going outside early in the morning and one can follow this advise sincerely. But when I read in an article that ozone can be released by ordinary copy machines (xerox machines), laser printers, ultraviolet lights, and some electrostatic air purification systems, all of which contribute to increased indoor ozone levels, I got an answer for one of my freind's problem.

We are aware that the extensive list of toxic effects of ozone on humans are pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, inflammation, and reduction of lung function. So I was wondering how one can take care of themselves even by staying in house (avoiding morning walk) ?.

Recently I found this interesting fact that three common indoor houseplants (see pictures), snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), and golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) can reduce the ozone concentrations effectively.

Hope plants as a mitigation method could serve as a cost-effective tool, where expensive pollution mitigation technology may not be economically feasible in the days to come....

Ref : http://horttech.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/19/2/286