The aim of the project was to study the indoor air pollutants in ten community locations. Carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde, particulate matter (PM) concentrations were monitored at cafeteria, lobby, gym, yoga room, atrium, community head office, community media classroom, barber, community meeting room, and copy center. Results showed that community media classroom had the highest CO2 concentration, exceeded 1000 ppm as recommended by EPA, and followed by copy center and community head office, whereas gym had the lowest concentration at 488 ppm. Cafeteria, yoga room, and community meeting room had higher formaldehyde concentrations, and exceeded 0.08 ppm as recommended by EPA. Lobby had the lowest formaldehyde concentration. Lobby, atrium, and community meeting room had higher PM concentrations, but all 10 tested locations did not exceed PM concentrations recommended by EPA.
Installation of indoor plants reduced CO2 concentrations of lobby and copy center. In most other locations, CO2 concentration did not change after plant installation. Reduced formaldehyde concentrations were measured in cafeteria and community meeting room after plant installation, whereas other locations had no significant changes of formaldehyde concentration. Plant installation reduced PM concentrations of cafeteria, lobby, yoga room, and copy center.
Samples (50 cm × 30 cm × 1.8 cm) of market bought particle board lamina, lumber core board, medium density fiberboard, polyester lumber core board, veneer core plywood, and calcium silicate board were placed in sealed 128-L chambers and were monitored for formaldehyde concentrations. At day 7, the chamber formaldehyde concentrations were 1.11, 1.10, 0.94, 0.60, 0.53, and 0.13 ppm, respectively. Each pieces of 50 cm × 30 cm × 1.8 cm lumber core board, veneer core plywood, plywood for concrete form were also monitored for formaldehyde concentrations. At day 5, plywood for concrete form had the highest formaldehyde concentration of 13.7 ppm, where lumber core board and veneer core plywood had 3.8 and 1.4 ppm formaldehyde. One potted plant of Spathiphyllum ‘Palas’, Anthurium ‘Passion’, Asplenium nidus, Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’, and Dendranthema grandiflorum were placed with one piece of lumber core board or plywood for concrete form. Chambers with plants placed within had lower formaldehyde concentrations, as compared to those without plants.
Fifteen tutor conferences were held on May 17, 23, 30, June 3, 13, July 4, 16, August 27, September 3, 12, 23, October 17, 24, and 28 in main towns and cities of Taiwan for promoting community greening. A total of 1,176 people joined.
