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Evaluation for Formaldehyde removability of Taiwan-native indoor plant species

Absrtact	The project aimed to determine the ability of common indoor plants to remove CO2 under high CO2 concentration (1200 ppm) conditions. Results showed that Sinningia speciosa (G. Lodd.) Hiern, Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott ‘Bostoniensis’, Alocasia ×amazonica Andre, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch ‘Pepride’, Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A. Dietr., Pachira macrocarpa (Cham. ＆ Schltdl.) Walp., Spathiphyllum floribundum (Linden ＆ André) N. E. Br., Asplenium nidus L., and Aglaonema Schott ex Engl. had higher CO2 removal ability based on evaluations with accumulated CO2 removal per plant and average CO2 removal per leaf area per hour. Effect of light intensity on the formaldehyde removal ability under high CO2 concentration were tested in five indoor plant species. Results showed that the formaldehyde removal ability of Spathiphyllum floribundum (Linden ＆ André) N. E. Br. was not affected under 1200 ppm CO2 condition. Increased light intensity to 120 μmol·m-2·s-1 could enhance the formaldehyde removal ability of Asplenium nidus L., Anthurium andraeanum Linden ‘Pink champion’, Aglaonema Schott ex Engl. ‘Silver Queen’, and Scheffera arboricola (Hayata) Kanehira ‘Variegata’ under 1200 ppm CO2 condition. Particulate matter (PM) accumulation ability was studied on 20 landscape plants in Taiwan. Results showed that Tabebuia chrysotricha (Mart. ex DC.) Standl., Sapindus saponaria L., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb., and Cassia fistula L. had higher PM accumulation ability. Vertical green wall was established in Kaohsiung Municipal Nanzih Primary School, the green wall could decrease 1.6oC, maintain 52%-61% relative humidity, and remove averages of 32.6% PM2.5, 78.8% PM10, 65.1% O3 in classroom in July; remove averages of 21.7% formaldehyde and 4.9% CO2 in October. Fifteen conferences were held on June 22, 23, 30, July 4, 5, 20, 21, Aug. 15, 22, 31, Sept.18, Oct. 19, 23, and Nov 2, 14 for promoting indoor and community greening. A total of 1158 participants joined. Information related indoor and community greening were updated on the EPA website. Plants of small gardens within EPA offices were well maintained.
Keyword	indoor plants, formaldehyde, sick building syndrome

Absrtact

The project aimed to determine the ability of common indoor plants to remove CO2 under high CO2 concentration (1200 ppm) conditions. Results showed that Sinningia speciosa (G. Lodd.) Hiern, Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott ‘Bostoniensis’, Alocasia ×amazonica Andre, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch ‘Pepride’, Peperomia obtusifolia (L.) A. Dietr., Pachira macrocarpa (Cham. ＆ Schltdl.) Walp., Spathiphyllum floribundum (Linden ＆ André) N. E. Br., Asplenium nidus L., and Aglaonema Schott ex Engl. had higher CO2 removal ability based on evaluations with accumulated CO2 removal per plant and average CO2 removal per leaf area per hour. Effect of light intensity on the formaldehyde removal ability under high CO2 concentration were tested in five indoor plant species. Results showed that the formaldehyde removal ability of Spathiphyllum floribundum (Linden ＆ André) N. E. Br. was not affected under 1200 ppm CO2 condition. Increased light intensity to 120 μmol·m-2·s-1 could enhance the formaldehyde removal ability of Asplenium nidus L., Anthurium andraeanum Linden ‘Pink champion’, Aglaonema Schott ex Engl. ‘Silver Queen’, and Scheffera arboricola (Hayata) Kanehira ‘Variegata’ under 1200 ppm CO2 condition. Particulate matter (PM) accumulation ability was studied on 20 landscape plants in Taiwan. Results showed that Tabebuia chrysotricha (Mart. ex DC.) Standl., Sapindus saponaria L., Calophyllum inophyllum L., Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb., and Cassia fistula L. had higher PM accumulation ability. Vertical green wall was established in Kaohsiung Municipal Nanzih Primary School, the green wall could decrease 1.6oC, maintain 52%-61% relative humidity, and remove averages of 32.6% PM2.5, 78.8% PM10, 65.1% O3 in classroom in July; remove averages of 21.7% formaldehyde and 4.9% CO2 in October. Fifteen conferences were held on June 22, 23, 30, July 4, 5, 20, 21, Aug. 15, 22, 31, Sept.18, Oct. 19, 23, and Nov 2, 14 for promoting indoor and community greening. A total of 1158 participants joined. Information related indoor and community greening were updated on the EPA website. Plants of small gardens within EPA offices were well maintained.

Keyword

indoor plants, formaldehyde, sick building syndrome