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Health-Related Benefits of Different Indoor Plant Species in a School Setting

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  • Alexander Pichlhöfer

    (Research Unit of Ecological Building Technologies, Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/207-3, A-1040 Vienna, Austria)

  • Eldira Sesto

    (Research Unit of Ecological Building Technologies, Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/207-3, A-1040 Vienna, Austria)

  • Jutta Hollands

    (Research Unit of Ecological Building Technologies, Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/207-3, A-1040 Vienna, Austria)

  • Azra Korjenic

    (Research Unit of Ecological Building Technologies, Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/207-3, A-1040 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Humans spend more than 80% of their lives indoors resulting in an increased demand for high indoor air quality (IAQ). At the same time, indoor air tends to be at least twice as polluted as outdoor air, and health threats caused by long-term exposure to indoor air pollution are rising. Few experiments under real-life conditions have demonstrated positive effects of indoor plants on parameters related to IAQ, resulting in improved humidity and temperature, reduced particulate matter concentration and CO 2 levels. Indoor living walls allow the presence of many plants—without taking up valuable floor area. This article presents the results of conducted measurements on four do-it-yourself green walls planted with different plant species that are typically used for vertical indoor greenery (golden pothos, Boston fern, spider plant and a combination of plants) in a school setting. Besides the parameters of air humidity and temperature, CO 2 , mold spore and particulate matter levels, influences on room acoustics were investigated. Based on a custom-developed evaluation matrix, the plants were compared with each other and a reference without plants. The results show that no species led to deterioration of IAQ. Golden pothos had the most substantial effect and delivered improvements in all examined parameters.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Pichlhöfer & Eldira Sesto & Jutta Hollands & Azra Korjenic, 2021. "Health-Related Benefits of Different Indoor Plant Species in a School Setting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-28, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:17:p:9566-:d:621701
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jutta Hollands & Azra Korjenic, 2021. "Indirect Economic Effects of Vertical Indoor Green in the Context of Reduced Sick Leave in Offices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Itai Danielski & Åsa Svensson & Kerstin Weimer & Lena Lorentzen & Maria Warne, 2022. "Effects of Green Plants on the Indoor Environment and Wellbeing in Classrooms—A Case Study in a Swedish School," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Maria P. Kaltsidi & Ignacia Bayer & Christina Mitsi & Danilo Aros, 2023. "Potential Use of Chilean Native Species in Vertical Greening Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Florian Teichmann & Azra Korjenic & Marijana Sreckovic & Hannes Veit & Dominik Hartmann, 2023. "Financing Green Infrastructure in Schools: A Case Study in Austria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-23, October.
    4. Yue Yang & Kai Hu & Yibiao Liu & Zhihuang Wang & Kaihong Dong & Peijuan Lv & Xing Shi, 2023. "Optimisation of Building Green Performances Using Vertical Greening Systems: A Case Study in Changzhou, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-30, March.
    5. Fernando Fonseca & Marina Paschoalino & Lígia Silva, 2023. "Health and Well-Being Benefits of Outdoor and Indoor Vertical Greening Systems: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, February.

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