Indoor Plants for Air Pollution, NASA

Scientific Paper

During the late 1970s, when the energy crunch was being felt at both the gas pump and in heating and cooling costs, buildings were being designed to maximize energy efficiency to help alleviate spiraling energy costs. Two of the design changes that improved energy efficiency included superinsulation and reduced fresh air exchange. However, upon the occupation of these buildings, the workers began to complain of various health problems such as itchy eyes, skin rashes, drowsiness, respiratory and sinus congestion, headaches, and other allergy-related symptoms. It was determined that the airtight sealing of buildings contributed significantly to the workers’ health problems. Similarly, synthetic building materials, which are known to emit or “off-gas” various organic compounds, have been linked to numerous health complaints. The office equipment and furnishings placed in these buildings are also a contributing factor because of the types of materials used in their manufacture and design. Man himself should be considered another source of indoor air pollution, especially when living in a closed, poorly ventilated area. This becomes very apparent when a large number of people are present in a confined place such as an airplane for an extended period of time. All of these factors collectively contribute to a phenomenon called “sick building syndrome.” One world health organization recently estimated that approximately 30 percent of all new or remodeled buildings have varying degrees of indoor air pollution. Problems of this type have been reported in the United States and Canada as well as in most other highly developed nations of the western world.

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[Hepatobiliary System. Liver. Toxins. Air Pollution. Indoor Air Pollution. Indoor Plants. NASA.]