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4-H Clean Air Project

Plants add beauty to indoor settings in our Perhaps one of the most surprising
homes, offices, and classrooms. Most peo- sources of indoor air pollution is electronic
ple would agree that having plants nearby devices. Personal computers, computer
while working or studying makes the monitors, and televisions emit many of the
experience more pleasant and the sur- same chemicals that were found in SKY-
roundings more enjoyable. However, LAB, including benzene, dodecane, and
NASA research scientists have found that many other “enes” and “anes,” along with
plants do more than just look good. They substances like formaldehyde.
can actually clean indoor air, making our Once these volatile organic chemicals
interior breathing spaces healthier. were found in our breathing spaces, scien-
NASA researchers working on the tists in the medical field conducted addi-
SKYLAB project in 1973 discovered 107 tional studies to determine if there were
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the related human health issues. Numerous
space laboratory air. The VOCs were at studies demonstrated that many common
levels harmful to humans. Some of the illnesses and diseases could be linked to
chemicals they found included acetone, indoor air pollution (Table 2).
toluene, xylene, benzene, ethyl acetate,
and naphthalene. Following these find- Table 2. Health Problems Associated
ings, the U.S. Environmental Protection with Indoor Air Pollution
Agency discovered 900 VOCs contaminat-
Allergies Eye, nose, and throat irritations
ing the air of offices, hospitals, nursing Asthma Sinus congestion
homes, and schools. Some of these 900 Fatigue Nervous system disorders
included benzene, formaldehyde, and pes- Headache Respiratory congestion
ticides. These studies raised our under- Cancer Parkinson’s disease
standing of indoor air pollution.
In 1997, retired NASA research scien- Resolving the problem of indoor air
tist Dr. B.C. Wolverton wrote a book called pollution is a subject of much interest to
“How to Grow Fresh Air” to share his NASA scientists and health professionals.
clean-air discoveries. In his book, Some might say, “Just open the windows
Wolverton listed common sources of and get some fresh air!” Ventilation might
VOCs that cause indoor air pollution work in a country home, but never in
(Table 1). outer space! Often, it’s not possible to
open the windows where we work and
Table 1. Common Sources of learn or even at home, especially during
Chemical Emissions inclement weather. Neither can common
air filters do an adequate job of removing
Adhesives Fabrics
Bioeffluents Gas stoves sources of indoor air pollution.
Carpeting Paints, stains, varnishes NASA research scientists eventually
Ceiling tiles Permanent press clothing obtained excellent results by using plants
Cleaning products Plywood or particle board to remove harmful volatile chemicals from
Cosmetics Tobacco smoke indoor air. In his book, Wolverton names
Draperies Upholstery
50 plants that were found to remove
Electronic devices Wall coverings
harmful chemicals. Table 3 lists some of
Wolverton, B.C. “How to Grow Fresh Air,” Penguin, New those plants.
York, 1997
Table 3. Partial List of Plants Shown to Reduce
Indoor Air Pollution
Areca Palm Dypsis lutescens
Corn Plant Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’
Dwarf Banana Musa acuminata
English Ivy Hedera helix
Golden Pothos Epipremnum aureum
Heart-Leaf Philodendron Philodendron scandens subsp. oxycardium
Janet Craig Dracaena Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’
Lady Palm Rhapis excelsa
Peace Lily Spathiphyllum spp.
Rubber Plant Ficus elastica
Schefflera Schefflera actinophylla
Snake Plant Sansevieria trifasciata
Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum

Source: Wolverton, B.C. “How to Grow Fresh Air,” Penguin, New York, 1997

One additional study considered the effect of


plants on the moisture content (humidity) of indoor
Spider Plant
air in relation to the number of airborne microbes that
may cause illnesses. As they did with VOCs, plants One way to minimize the cost of plants is to pur-
reduced the number of airborne microbes significantly chase one mature spider plant (Chlorophytum como-
from 25 down to 10 colonies. Plants also helped main- sum), also called airplane plant or spider ivy. The off-
tain a 72 percent humidity level, which is more desir- sets produced by the “parent” plant are easily potted
able for humans, as opposed to a 56 percent humidity and easily grown. After a group of children help
level where plants were not included. raise their “baby” plant to maturity, they may har-
The purpose of the 4-H Clean Air Project is to vest new offsets to pot and take home or share with
familiarize youth with some of the facts about indoor other classrooms.
air pollution and teach them the value of maintaining NASA studies concluded that something can be
plants within their breathing spaces. With sufficient done about indoor air pollution. Indoor plants can
plants, indoor air quality will improve. This is typical- effectively reduce toxic chemical levels and harmful
ly accomplished by giving a brief age-appropriate microbes in our poorly ventilated homes, businesses,
presentation, followed by an activity where youth will schools, and other buildings. For maximum effective-
plant rooted cuttings in pots and/or receive potted ness, 15 to 18 plants are suggested for a 1,800 square-
plants for their classroom donated by volunteers or foot home. While it’s not likely we can put this many
Extension agents. plants in a classroom at any one time, the 4-H Clean
Agents and volunteers have successfully used Air Project teaches youth valuable life lessons and
materials from the Junior Master Gardener builds plant-growing skills while having a positive
Teacher/Leader Guide: Level One (Texas Agricultural impact on indoor air.
Extension Service, 1999) to supplement instruction. A If you and your children would like to know more
favorite lesson for teaching younger children is the about this project or how to get it started in your com-
Oxygen Factory, found on page 17 of the JMG munity, contact your local county Extension office and
teacher/leader manual. In this lesson, designed for ask about the 4-H Clean Air Project.
elementary-aged students, the simple facts about pho-
tosynthesis are briefly covered. Plants are presented to
the children for adoption and naming. This guidebook
can be ordered online at http://jmgkids.us/. Other
resource materials, such as the 4-H Cooperative
Curriculum System Horticulture manual, also are
available from your county Extension office.
References Rumchev, K., et al. “Association of domestic exposure
Buckley, J.D., et al. “Indoor pesticide use increased to volatile organic compounds with asthma in young
child cancer rates.” Cancer 89: 11, 2000. children,” Thorax, 2004, 59:746-751.

Burkhard, C. “Chemical emissions from office equip- Steffen, C. “Benzene linked to childhood leukemia.”
ment,” IVF Research Publication 99826, 1999. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 61:
773-778, 2004.
Corsi, R. and J. Gabbs. “VOC emissions from pack-
aged and active computers,” Poster, Annual Meeting Weisel, C.P. “Assessing exposure to air toxics relative
of the International Society for Exposure Analysis to asthma.” Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol.
2000, Monterey, CA, 2000. 110, No. 4, Aug. 2002.

Daniels, J.L., et al. “Neuroblastoma linked to homes Wensing, M. “Determination of organic chemical emis-
treated with pesticides.” Epidemiology 12(1): 20-26, sions from electronic devices.” Raw, G., Aizlewood, C.,
January 2001. and Warren, O. (Eds). Proceedings of the 8th Intl.
Conf. on Indoor Air and Climate, Edinburg, U.K., Vol.
Pezzoli, G. “Hydrocarbon exposure and Parkinson’s 5, pp. 87-92, 1999.
disease.” Neurology, Vol. 55: 667-673, Sept. 2000.
Copyright 2010 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed
without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University
Extension Service.
Revised by Dr. Lelia Kelly, Associate Extension Professor, North Mississippi Research and Extension Center,
from an earlier edition by Dr. Kerry Johnson, retired Area Horticulture Extension Agent.
Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status is a violation of fed-
eral and state law and MSU policy and will not be tolerated. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation or group affilia-
tion is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated.
Publication 2527
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in
furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. JOE E. STREET, Interim Director (POD-11-10)

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