Science Forums 2

[Michaelangelica]

Stressbusting Plants

Indoor plants can reduce fatigue, coughs, sore throats, and other cold related illnesses by more than 30%. Extensive research already shows that houseplants alleviate stress, help us relax, and increase our general wellbeing. This study aimed to discover how far houseplants could benefit our physical and psychological health.

Office staff, working in offices 10m2, were questioned on their health, particularly symptoms related to spending a lot of time indoors and being under stress. After two months without plants, a range of houseplants were placed in half the offices. After a year, the plants were swapped to those offices with no plants in. After another year all staff were questioned on what effect the plants hah had on their health and well being.

Stressbusting Plants

Reducing Illness

Dr Tove Fjeld, University of Agriculture, Norway 1995

Indoor plants can reduce fatigue, coughs, sore throats and other cold related illnesses by more than 30%.

Across the spring months in 1995 & 199. . . .

Reducing Illness


All these symptoms were 10-45% less with indoor plants!!!!
practically a portable hospital

• Fatigue
• Feeling heavy-headed
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Problems concentrating
• Itching, irritated eyes
• Irritated/running/stuffy nose
• Dry, hoarse throat
• Cough
• Dry, irritated facial skin
• Scaling, itching scalp/ ears
• Dry/itching hands

Scientific studies prove that houseplants are good for you - physically, emotionally and psychologically, they are proven to:-

* Remove harmful chemicals from the air, such as those in paints and varnishes, new carpets and MDF furniture
* Absorb noise and lessen dust in the home
* Help hospital patients recover faster, and with less medication
* Lower blood pressure, help concentration and improve memory
* Promote feelings of relaxation, calm and well-being
* Make rooms look cared for and welcoming

Plants for Health

Summary
The studies showed that:
• Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) were higher indoors, with or without
plants.
• Pot-plants consistently reduced office or room TVOC levels by 50 to 70% where
more than 100 ppb TVOC load was present without pot plants
• Three large floor standing pot plants were as effective as six in bringing about
large TVOC reductions in offices or rooms that are 10–12 m2 with a ceiling height
of between 3–4m
• Six table-sized pot plants were as effective as three (or six) of the larger floor
standing pot plants.
• Pot-plants reduce TVOC levels in air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned
circumstances.

http://www.rentokiltropicalplants.co...r_oct%2004.pdf

A Breathing Wall??-tm?
http://www.plantscleanair.com/docs/N...THING_WALL.pdf

SUMMARY
Health and environment are the focus of individuals, employers, and organisations such as WorkCover, the National Environment Protection Council and the World Health Organisation, for example.

We now have a wealth of additional evidence to support the use of potted plants to improve indoor air quality. They provide an inexpensive, flexible, portable and aesthetically attractive biofiltration system for indoor air, which is self-sustaining when normal plant care is given.

We would encourage both homeowners and building managers to use indoor plants much more to help improve indoor air quality.
Architects, designers and engineers might also think more creatively about how they could integrate plants into building designs at an early stage, to make better use of this green technology.
Facility managers have the opportunity in a costeffective way to enhance their value to the client by providing attractive healthy workplaces that maximise employee productivity and business profitability.

http://www.rentokiltropicalplants.co...s/ron_wood.pdf
(Huge bibliography/references list here)

http://www.plantscleanair.com/docs/2001_nov2.pdf