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Effects of Green Plants on the Indoor Environment and Wellbeing in Classrooms—A Case Study in a Swedish School

Author

Listed:
  • Itai Danielski

    (Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Åsa Svensson

    (Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

  • Kerstin Weimer

    (Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

  • Lena Lorentzen

    (Design AB, 828 91 Edsbyn, Sweden)

  • Maria Warne

    (Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

Abstract

Many schools in Sweden lack a proper indoor environment due to, e.g., poor thermal-envelope properties, overcrowded classes, poor visual appearance and insufficient ventilation. This study aims to explore the integration of a large number of indoor green plants into classrooms’ environments. This case study consists of three parts: measurements of the indoor environment including a final energy model, a questionnaire to the pupils with questions about their well-being and qualitative interviews with teachers. The case was two classrooms in a secondary education facility in central Sweden with an average annual temperature of 3 °C and a long and dark winter period with snow. The results showed 10% lower CO 2 and slightly higher and more stable temperatures due to the green plants. Worries about climate change and war among the pupils decreased after several months with the plants and worry about infectious disease increased. The teachers experienced fresher air from the plants and used the plant stands for a flexible classroom design. The conclusion is that indoor plants have the potential to contribute to a better indoor environment, but due to the high number of uncontrolled variables (including the effect of COVID-19) in measurements of real-life conditions, more studies are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3777-:d:777588
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Candace Currie & Saoirse Nic Gabhainn & Emmanuelle Godeau, 2009. "The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: WHO Collaborative Cross-National (HBSC) Study: origins, concept, history and development 1982–2008," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(2), pages 131-139, September.
    2. Ke-Tsung Han & Li-Wen Ruan, 2019. "Effects of Indoor Plants on Self-Reported Perceptions: A Systemic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-26, August.
    3. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Maria M. Serrano-Baena & Rafael E. Hidalgo Fernández & Carlos Ruiz-Díaz & Paula Triviño-Tarradas, 2023. "Promoting the Sustainable Recovery of Hospitality in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Comparative Study to Optimize the Servicescapes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Saranathan Pragati & Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya & Chandramouli Pradeepa & Ramalingam Senthil, 2023. "Simulation of the Energy Performance of a Building with Green Roofs and Green Walls in a Tropical Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.

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