실내식물의 휘발성유기화합물질 정화에 관한 연구

Abstract

The purification ability of indoor plants for volatile organic compounds was investigated.Philodendron selloum and Spathiphyllum sp. were tested for removal of toluene andtrichloroethylene in the artificially contaminated reactor under laboratory conditions. Eachplant was placed in right side of the reactor and the TCE and toluene concentration change withtime were monitored. In the reactor with Philodendron, the TCE concentrations of left and rightsides were compared to examine the removal effects by plant. In the reactor with Spathiphyllum,air was circulated before sampling, and thus average removal effects by plants on target VOCwere observed.Both plants showed clear effects on removal of VOCs from contaminated indoor air. Theremoval efficiency of Philodendronand Spathiphyllumwere similar and showed 30 - 46% and 31 -47% of purification effects, respectively. The results of this study showed that air purificationusing plants is an effective means of reduction on indoor VOCs concentration level and reducerelated health risk though, supplementary purifying aids or proper ventilation were alsosuggested.