How to Use Plants to Improve Air Quality in the Workplace

Mon, May 6, 2013

1. How To

Take a moment to consider the air that you are breathing right now. Many people in today’s world are rightfully concerned about air pollution and the precarious situation of our global ecosystems, but the problem of indoor air pollution is very rarely addressed. In fact, the air inside homes and offices is very often more heavily polluted than the air outdoors–even in dense metropolitan areas. This is largely due to a lack of ventilation, and also a lack of natural plant life. Start using plants to improve your indoor air quality.

Plants naturally filter the air that we breathe as part of their life cycles. The process of photosynthesis involves using carbon dioxide, and several other ingredients, to generate glucose. Our leafy friends also give off oxygen all day long, improving our air quality and helping us to breathe easier. An even more amazing property of plants is their ability to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals in the air. Scientists long ago discovered that growing plants indoors helps to eliminate volatile organic compounds from the air. In a way, plants can act as workplace air filters for your office.

To get started in the process of improving your workplace’s indoor air quality, you’ll need to find plants that are adaptable to indoor life. There are, in general, two things that a potted plant needs to be able to survive; water and light. Getting a plant the water it needs is a simple matter, but light is somewhat more tricky. Artificial light doesn’t provide plants with the energy they need, as it lacks the full spectrum of rays that come from natural sunlight. Many workplaces lack windows and natural lighting, making it difficult to grow plants inside.

You can solve this problem in two ways. The first option is to change the light in your workplace. Full spectrum light bulbs, or sun lamps, closely mimic the spectrum of light radiated by the sun every day. They shine with all kinds of rays, from infrared to ultraviolet. Lights like this are commonly used as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder, which ties sunlight to mood and health, and they are also used to help plants grow indoors. Installing full spectrum lights in your workplace can help to boost morale and grow plants at the same time.

Another, more popular option for using plants to improve indoor air quality, is to choose plants that thrive in low light settings. Countless plant species are adept at surviving with limited sunlight; those that grow on forest floors, for example, very rarely get to see the sun. Plants that thrive in low light settings are typically dark, with large broad leaves that pick up as much light as possible. Talk to gardeners and botanists in your area about plants that will thrive in your workplace.

Plants will help improve your indoor air quality, but they can’t do the job alone. Look into local Mitsubishi ductless dealers for an upgrade to your indoor heating and cooling systems. Avoid using chemical cleaning products that introduce toxic substances into your air. And, of course, be sure to clean regularly to keep your workplace free of dust and allergens. Improving indoor air quality requires a multifaceted approach, but bringing in plants is a great way to start.

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