2005 Volume 60 Issue 6 Pages 1145-1148
The capabilities of golden pothos and peace lily for air-pollutants were examined. In the experiment, these subjects were installed in an experimental chamber of 300 liters respectively and the purification characteristics were monitored by a tin oxide gas sensor. The responding characteristic of the sensor means a plant purification capability (Pa). And the full-width at a half maximum (tw) of the characteristic was used to evaluate the Pa.
The Pas of golden pothos and peace lily for toluene and xylene were nearly constant even if the concentrations were changed. The capabilities of golden pothos and peace lily for fromaldehyde became higher as the concentration became higher. Relationship between the tw and molecular weight of the pollutants showed a linear characteristic. It was understood that the purification capability became lower as the molecular weight of the pollutant was larger.
Plants were also set in a real environment. Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and odor grades were measured to examine purification effect of plants. Removal rate for TVOC was 74% and that of odor was 68%. It was confirmed that plants had high purification capability for both of VOCs and odor even in the real environment.
