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The power of air-purifying plants
As humans, we have an innate attraction to nature, so it makes sense that introducing planting into the built environment – in which we spend so much of our time – will improve our sense of mental wellbeing. It makes even more sense when we examine the physical benefits of being surrounded by plants. Plants and their root systems have been proven to have air purifying qualities in research conducted by NASA, actually filtering harmful substances out of the air. Air quality is now something many employers are very conscious of in office environments, and aspirational building standards that actively promote occupant wellbeing, such as Fitwel, WELL and SKA, all include air quality on the list of features that should be continually measured and monitored.
Common office pollutants
The accoutrements of office life expose us to a surprising number of pollutants, as shown in the list of harmful chemicals below and where they can often be found:
Benzene in varnishes, detergents, rubber, paints, plastics, inks, oils, detergents, dyes, floor finishes, particle board
Trichloroethylene in printing inks, varnishes, adhesive, and lacquer
Formaldehyde in paper towels, facial tissues, adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backing, particle board, plywood
Ammonia in cleaning products
Toluene in stain removers, oils, decorating products, nail polish, inks, particle board
Carbon monoxide in vehicle and heating fumes
Styrene in carpet backing, fiberglass, packaging, wiring insulation
Why is office air harmful?
When we think of pollution, we tend to think of power stations spewing out clouds of smoke or smelly car exhaust fumes, but, surprisingly, the air indoors can be up to 30 times more toxic than the air outside, and you can’t see, smell, or taste it. For instance, one of the biggest sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is manufactured wood building products: structural plywood, wall panelling and particle board being three of the most common. The adhesives used in these products are notorious for giving off VOCs continuously and over a long period of time. Wall and floor finishing materials, including paint, can also be toxic chemical sources. All these substances are regularly found in the office environment – even in brand-new buildings.
NASA proved the incredible power of plants
In 1989, NASA researcher, Dr. Bill Wolverton investigated the use of the naturally filtering properties of plant life to clean the air in sealed environments such as space stations.
The result was the construction of the Biohome, a 32m2 living area and a 27.5 m2 bioregenerative area for reclamation of water and food. The Biohome was constructed entirely of synthetic materials, highly insulated (R-40), and tightly sealed. Upon entering the facility, there were high concentrations of VOCs detected, and visitors exhibited symptoms of toxicity, including burning eyes, scratchy throat, trouble breathing and other classic symptoms of what has been coined ‘sick building syndrome’.
Low-light tolerant foliage plants were then placed into the Biohome and allowed to acclimatise for several days. The striking result was that the symptoms of runny eyes were no longer exhibited, and analysis confirmed the reduction of VOCs in the atmosphere. To develop a case study for habitation, a graduate student lived entirely in the chamber for the whole summer, with no negative health effects observed. An important finding in the study revealed that plants can remove VOCs, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene, in non-ventilated, energy-efficient buildings.
How many plants do I need
to filter the air in my office?
We’re often asked this here at Vantage, and it’s an impossible question to answer accurately, as every office is different with many variables. What we do advise though, is to factor planting in at the start of any design process whenever possible, and to be bold with the amount of planting. And don’t forget that planting is about so much more than air purification, there is considerable research evidence which shows that being close to plants can improve mental wellbeing and productivity. The coveted WELL standard recognises this, and their programme details planting requirements as follows:
• Min 1% of a building’s floor area per floor,
OR
• 1 green wall per floor (min 2% of floor area or the largest wall, whichever is greater)
For the whole team to thrive, we’d recommend spreading this 1% evenly across key areas, so that everyone benefits.
From space lab to office
Naturally, a lab environment is not the same as an office — we don’t live or work on space stations. However, whilst you may be able to open a window and control air flow at home, modern air-conditioned offices are often effectively ‘sealed’ environments because they have been designed to maximise energy efficiency by increasing insulation and reducing fresh air exchange.
The filtering power of root systems
The plant root-soil zone proved most effective in removing the substances from the air and exposing this area will provide maximum filtration. The root systems of plants host microbes which consume toxins. The plant’s growing media attracts toxins from the air and holds them until these microbes consume them – the harmless by-products of this process then provide food and energy for the plant. Over time, microbes adapt to their environment and the toxins they are exposed to; they quickly acclimatise to the amount and type of toxins in the air, thus becoming more efficient at consuming these toxins. Microbes are exceptional at consuming organic, or carbon-based VOCs, which are known carcinogens.
"Biophilia is proven to have a positive impact on cognitive function, focus and stamina and, more significantly, the emphasis on plant life has a direct impact on air quality."
Frövi, 2021
Air quality is high on employees’ priorities
When employees came back to life in the office after the pandemic, many came back to work under new hybrid contracts, mixing working at home in their own ‘airspace’ with working in an office environment which is often ‘sealed’.
This has almost had the effect of putting the office environment under a magnifying glass and led progressive employers to examine how they can make their workplace as attractive as possible to ensure that employees still enjoy coming in and connecting with colleagues. Air quality comes high on this list and planting is front and centre as a means of improving employee mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Vantage top five for office air
At Vantage, we choose from an incredibly varied range of trees and plants to achieve a desired look or feel for a client. These include our top five purifying performers, recognised by NASA for their ability to remove benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air, and chosen by us because they work exceptionally well in most office environments. They are as follows:
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – The striking contrast of the glossy dark green foliage and the creamy white flowers held high on stiff stems make the peace lily a very popular plant. Introduced to Europe in 1870 from the jungles of South America, the flowers of the peace lily are in fact specially adapted leaves called a bract.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – Named for it’s mottled, serpent-like leaves, the snake plant is beautiful and showy, yet low maintenance and tolerant of poor lighting. It comes in a myriad of different shapes and colours. The snake plant is unusual in that, whilst most other plants release carbon dioxide in the absence of photosynthesis during the night, snake plants actually produce oxygen. We love the height, texture and variety that the snake plant adds to a display, and they also look incredible when planted together in a row.
- Dragon Tree (Dracaena) – Plants in the dracaena genus are easy-care indoor plants which tolerate a range of conditions. Colours include greens, yellows and whites, with some varieties having red margins, such as the very popular dracaena marginata. We particularly like the multi-stemmed varieties – a group of different dracaena displayed together can make a wonderful statement piece.
- Pothos (Epipremnum) – Climbing up a pole or trailing from a pot, it’s hard not to love the heart-shaped leaves and tumbling growth habit of pothos. Pothos prefers bright, indirect light but can also do well in low light levels, even managing to keep its variegation in these conditions, which is quite unusual – hence its nickname, ‘devil’s ivy’! In the wild, these plants can grow up to 20m tall, but don’t worry – that doesn’t happen in the office environment!
- Spider Plant (Chloryphytum) – Producing long tapering leaves that tumble over the side of its container, the spider plant is much loved for its undemanding nature. It looks great in a hanging arrangement, but is also useful in any large display. There are over 200 species of spider plant, including the ‘zebra’, the reverse variegated, the green-orange and the curly spider plant. So, if you thought the spider plant was the preserve of the student bedsit, think again!
Architects and designers lead the way in embracing biophilia
Architects and designers of office spaces are fully switched on to the benefits of optimising health and wellbeing principles throughout projects, and interior landscaping is often factored in at an early stage of a project and used to soften the overall design and give a finished look. As well as improving air quality, well designed planting can break up bleak spaces, give people a sense of wellbeing and make spaces look welcoming.
Planting can be incorporated into so many facets of a building these days. Pillars can be planted up, office screens can be lush and green, empty space above us can be filled with feathery fronds and reception desks and even logos can be adorned with moss. There are so many opportunities to enhance an office environment with biophilia. For any business seeking to improve the air quality and overall work environment, consulting a specialist biophilic design company is a good place to start.
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