Plants>Air Purifiers

By Hannah Lee


Cleaning supplies, glues, paints and other items can release harmful chemicals into indoor air. Removing them from that air can be difficult and expensive. However, scientists have discovered that houseplants have the potential to be the solution. 

This idea is hardly new. NASA researchers first proposed it in the 1980s. When plants take in air through their leaves, they can use proteins called enzymes to disarm toxic chemicals. But most enzymes only work on a few types of chemicals, and plants may not have enzymes that tackle each of the pollutants in their environment. So plants' usefulness for cleaning up pollution is limited without some help from scientists. 
In order to boost their effectiveness, scientists starting by giving plants a gene to make an enzyme called 2E1, an enzyme that targets small, carbon-rich molecules called volatile organic compounds. VOCs are a big problem, and they turn into a gas at room temperature, making it fairly easy to inhale. Once in our bodies, VOCs can cause breathing troubles and other problems. Scientists decided to work with a houseplant called pothos ivy. They boosted its pollution-breakdown ability by adding a pollution-busting gene. In tests, this altered plant removed some pollution from the air.

The results of the experiment confirm that adding 2E1 helped pothos ivy break down common VOCs. But cleaning all the air inside a tiny bottle is easier than detoxifying an entire house. For one thing, houses and apartments are much bigger. Indeed, a plant in the living room may not be able to clean up air in the kitchen. However, scientists hope that such plants will help tackle the widespread problem of home air pollution. Indoor levels of those chemicals tend to be small. But if people breathe them in every day for years and year, they might lead to disease, such as cancer. Small children and teens may get extra-large doses if they spend more time at home than their parents.

Do you think these small plants are viable to be used to prevent pollution? Do you think that it can be possible that altering the genes of the plants can have unexpected results? 


Works Cited-
https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/mechanical-systems/cleaning-indoor-air-with-plants
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/modified-houseplant-can-clean-indoor-air-remove-VOCs
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19930073077.pdf

Comments

Anonymous said…
Despite the fact that I do think it is fascinating how houseplants could potentially be utilized to combat air pollution, there still needs a lot more research conducted on the actual viability of houseplants as natural air purifiers. Specifically, houseplants have irrevocably proven to be effective in reducing air contamination and pollution in set laboratory conditions, such as the small, sealed environments that NASA conducted its initial experiments in 1989, but their effectiveness in an actual household is unknown. Air turnover rate, or the rate at which air inside a space is replaced by air outside, is a lot greater within homes than within laboratory settings, and has been indicated to be possibly more effective than household plants. Moreover, in a laboratory setting, household plants are exposed to optimal conditions such as plenty of light to maximize the rate of photosynthesis, which will in turn maximize the ability of the plant to degrade toxins, while within houses, there is usually not enough light to maintain that level of photosynthesis, which implies that optimal conditions need to be implemented within households for a plant’s air purifying abilities to be actually effective. Although further research needs to be conducted on plants outside of a typical laboratory setting, household plants not only hold the potential to scrub out of the air volatile compounds that could cause cancer such as benzene and formaldehyde according to NASA, they also do host a bevy of other uses such as reducing stress levels and creating a happier mood, (Source: http://time.com/5105027/indoor-plants-air-quality/).
February 20, 2019 at 5:48 AM
Anonymous said…
I think it is great that houseplants could be used to reduce air pollution. It is of utmost importance that we do everything in our power to combat the current air pollution. Even though house plants may not be powerful enough to reverse all air pollution, every little bit counts. However, this method will require more research to actually be successful and effective. It is good that people are thinking of ways that everyone can help.
February 20, 2019 at 12:21 PM
Caroline Tuggle said…
In today's market, there are so many products that claim to help purify the air around you with their technology or whatever is inside of them, but what I dont think people realize is what all is in these products and what theyre really doing to the air that we breathe. Having living plants in one's household instead of air purifiers is very important in my opinion . While obviously they are only able to absorb so much, I do believe that they are a much better and healthier alternative to introducing more chemicals in the air in attempt to purify it .
February 20, 2019 at 4:28 PM
Anonymous said…
With the seemingly inevitable complete destruction of our environment approaching due to constant human activity, any way to counteract air pollution should be embraced and implemented. While houseplants provide an easy solution to this global issue, more research must be conducted in order to improve the efficacy of using houseplants as a way to detoxify polluted air. Regardless, after further research is conducted, the usage of houseplants as a means to combat pollution seems to be a novel solution to a persisting issue.
February 20, 2019 at 5:29 PM
Anonymous said…
Pollution is a huge problem today because of the growing industries and the continuous use of fossil fuels. Therefore, it is keen to do everything we can to counter act the damage done. I think using household plants as a air purifier is a great step to achieving a less polluted environment. Although more research should be done to effectively use this process, using household plants are an easy solution to the ongoing catastrophe. These plants could provide a way for people to start thinking about sustainability and the preservation of the environment. Even though the problem of air pollution is way bigger than a simple household plant, I think that the start of an ongoing process to preservation would eventually get us to the ultimate goal, saving the environment.
February 20, 2019 at 8:38 PM
Anonymous said…
Pollution is one of the biggest issues the world has today. House plants are a great idea to help reduce the amount of pollution in the air. I believe more research should be done on how to control and reduce pollution in the air. But house plants are a great idea to start changing the environment, if everyone added a few small plants to their house it would have a bug effect on the environment.
February 21, 2019 at 2:55 PM
Anonymous said…
Seeing that pollution, being one of major problems in the environment, can be solved by household plants is amazing. These plants could be one of the solutions that doesn’t require a large amount of money. However, the low amount of research causes this solution to become problematic. We do not know the consequences that the plants could provide if the plants become genetically modified. Once this solution is solved, the problem of pollution could cease to exist.
February 22, 2019 at 9:01 AM
Anonymous said…
Though this idea might not be new, it definitely does not have the publicity it should be receiving. Using genetically altered houseplants as a method to reduce toxic chemicals in the air could be revolutionary because it gives another purpose to a traditionally decorative item. Many people already appreciate the aesthetic value of greenery in the homescape, so using plants as a natural purifier would serve a duel purpose. There doesn’t seem to be much extensive research done yet concerning the viability of widespread use, but I think it could certainly become an option in the coming years with additional attention. Scientists could possibly even develop a new plant species with DNA alteration for this sole purpose.
February 24, 2019 at 8:33 AM
Anonymous said…
This idea of using houseplants can make a huge impact. If everyone was to maintain houseplants in their Holmes it would help a lot. The plants would also double as decorations and many people would love to have them. I would love to have a couple houseplants in my house because it would make the air fresh and more breathable.
February 24, 2019 at 12:39 PM
Anonymous said…
Although houseplants would appear to be a viable solution, they would only address a fraction of the problems associated with pollution. However, no resolution should be overlooked. Although it would be extremely difficult for houseplants to cleanse the pollution around the world, the use of houseplants coupled with a reduction in CO2 emissions and planting trees could increase the stability of the Earth. Yet, people should not rely entirely on genetic modification. This field is relatively new and could pose severe threats to the biodiversity of the planet. Before we attempt to solve this issue, we should examine and understand the implications of our decision.
February 25, 2019 at 11:14 AM
Anonymous said…
We see that the usage of house plants could help the world when applied on a larger scale. This can really help as household plants can easily be added to any household and then be maintained relatively easily. Plants can also easily be utilized as decorative materials that would replace disposable art works and such. Though it may seem that houseplants can not help as much as we hope, they still are no doubt a step in the right direction.
February 25, 2019 at 12:22 PM
Anonymous said…
I love my houseplants! I’m a big plant person, so I have a few succulents and some aloe and radiation-eating plants in my room. Many people suffer from air pollution, and if they can get away from it in their own homes, that would be the right step in the right direction. I can say for sure that after purchasing and raising my plants, the air in my own room has gotten so much cleaner and fresher. I recommend this very viable option for all who want to raise a plant and test their responsibility!
February 25, 2019 at 12:24 PM
Anonymous said…
Genetically modifying plants has great potential to improve the lives of people in the future, It involves technology that inserting DNA into the genome of an organism To produce a genetically modified plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells. Usually scientists insert cells to grow in a tissue culture where they develop into plants. However, there are large drawbacks to altering nature’s original work. This specific idea for special enzymes for plants is a smart idea but GMO’s in general can be dangerous. Studies have shown that genetically modified corn and soy fed to rats led to a higher risk of them developing liver and kidney problems. These health risks may not be transferable to humans, but they illustrate the unpredictable nature of GMOs on living things. All in all, I think these plants are a great solution to the pressing issue of pollution, but we should be cautious about genetically modifying plants and animals.
February 25, 2019 at 12:30 PM
Anonymous said…
I think we can brainstorm new carbon capturing systems, ways to eliminate emissions, and government regulations but at the end of the day we must look at implementation. Most people, just assuming here, would not be so keen to plant a bunch of house plants around their house in the soil purpose of helping the environment. People will also not likely want to funnel tax payer money into this or other projects.
February 25, 2019 at 1:28 PM
Anonymous said…
I believe that houseplants have the potential to make a big difference. Time and time again we find a common theme connecting most major environmental issues, humans. People have destroyed and wreaked havoc on the environment. The best way to undo the damage we have done is to return the environment to how it was. Obviously, we can’t all tear down our houses and replace them with trees, but we can make small changes. By getting houseplants we can help improve the air quality with minimal effort. It also gives houses a very comforting appearance. I would know just downstairs we have about 10 houseplants! In terms of genetically modified plants, I think they could prove beneficial. However, we must always be wary when mankind alters the ways of nature. I think that a lot more research needs to be done to prove their aren’t any major consequences to having them. If research supports the idea that it safe then maybe one day everyone will have a genetically modified plant in their home!
February 25, 2019 at 3:44 PM
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
February 25, 2019 at 9:28 PM
Anonymous said…
I think it is great to learn that houseplants can be used to reduce air pollution. I think it is a priority for us to do everything we can to find solutions in combatting the current air pollution. I also think that while house plants may not bet he most effective in reversing all air pollution, I think it is a great first step in directing other possible solutions. While it is great to know that new solutions are being introduced and that people want to help, I know that more needs to be done if we want to reverse the damage already here.
February 25, 2019 at 9:29 PM
Anonymous said…
If’s amazing that such small plants offer a potential (perhaps not yet viable) solution for pollution. The ability of plants to absorb carbon dioxide may have inspired some of the studies in your blog post. While these experiments have introduced new modifications we can make potentially to other plants beyond house plants to reduce pollution, I believe that this isn’t yet a complete solution. We have many issues and sources of pollution, and this technology isn’t yet up to the challenge. However, these plants are a step forward into a new realm of innovative solutions to solve the problem of pollution.
February 26, 2019 at 1:07 PM
Mallory Odom said…
In my own home we have at least 5-6 house plants that we keep all throughout the house. My mother and I both think it's important to use plants to help elimate air pollution so we try our best to do our part. Air pollution isn't an easy problem to fix and ulimately plants aren't going to solve all of the problems, but if people realize that even small things like house plants can contribute to making our air cleaner, maybe they would do more to help.
February 26, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Anonymous said…
I'm curious if different kinds of house plants would be more effective in eliminating air pollutants. I think the idea overall is neat, but I'm not entirely sure how well the plants are doing. Is the new enzyme at all harmful to the plant? Even though the idea isn't new, I think more testing needs to happen so there is some solidified evidence that house plants are helping.
February 26, 2019 at 5:44 PM
Anonymous said…
It’s important that researchers and society is shifting away from artificial means to natural ways to eliminate air pollutants. The idea by itself is more practical at a smaller scale, say in smaller apartments or indivual bedrooms. However, that is not to say these plants are useless, as even reducing air pollutants in smaller areas can have a major impact. In addition, altering the genes to make these plants better at detoxifying the air seems like the correct path to go down as it allows plants that might not have been as useful to drastically reduce pollution.
February 26, 2019 at 6:01 PM
Anonymous said…
This is very interesting because it draws attention to an issue that most people generally don’t think about. Today, people are spending more time indoors than ever before as tech only advances and as urbanization continues to spread. I feel like there is two approaches to this issue. The first is the one you proposed in your blog post. We could find natural solutions, like house plants, to counter act these toxins. Secondly, I feel this is a great opportunity to encourage people to spend time outdoors. Spending time outdoors is extremely healthy and should be a main part of our life anyways, but the presence of toxins is a great motivator.
February 26, 2019 at 6:03 PM
Anonymous said…
I never thought about the fact that houseplants can help with air pollution. Although their impact would be very small scale and minimally effective, it is a step in the right direction. Using natural means of reducing air pollution is a better solution than artificial means. When these plants are genetically modified to have more detoxifying properties, they will be even more useful and could be a longterm solution. Furthermore, the look of house plants in people's home does give a comforting appearance which is a big bonus! Your blog was very interesting and I enjoyed reading it.
February 26, 2019 at 7:19 PM
Anonymous said…
Houseplants are usually seen as decoration, but now I can see them as viable methods of reducing air pollution. Obviously, this works on a small scale, such as a bedroom or small room. However, these small impacts can have a huge impact if implemented across the globe. Also, it is natural, rather than the artificial methods many people still rely on today. Now, alongside their decorative use, house plants can help freshen up people's houses.
February 26, 2019 at 8:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Though these plants may not have a huge impact upon the environment by themselves, if enough of these plants are grown it could lead to a reduction in air pollution without having to take big steps out of our lifestyles in order to do so. These plants are not seen as more than decoration in the home so their presence is very minimal in a household. I believe growing these plants is a good first step in trying to better the environment because of its simplicity.
-Adam Ghanem
February 26, 2019 at 9:20 PM
Anonymous said…
The usefulness of something that most of us take for granted as just a houseplant really surprised me. I believe that if we amassed enough of these we could really be able to make a significant enough change to make it worth it. We should aim to continue the usage of these small green cleaners to continue sustaining the environment. This just makes me wonder, what other things that we take for granted might be used for worldwide good.
February 26, 2019 at 11:13 PM
Anonymous said…
Although it may seem like a single house plant is irrelevant in the larger scheme of things, it’s important to realize how much of a difference a single plant in every household could make in the world. They are a great way to keep the air pure and counterbalance pollution in one household with only having a minimal presense in the house. It is a great way to make an impact in the world by the means of something seen as a decoration in households.
February 28, 2019 at 3:12 PM
Anonymous said…
IN a world where more and more harmful chemicals are being released into the air, the solution that plants provide is invaluable. By knowing this, people can now start to clean up their own living spaces. In my house, we have many plants and to know that keeping plants are actually benefiting me directly is a great thing to know. As of right now I don't think people will start to trade in their air filters for plants but people may start buying more plants to put indoors.
March 2, 2019 at 4:38 AM
Luke Farinelli said…
Great that we found genes to help with this. I think it would be great to have a plant like this in every house. I am a hard hater of all artificial smells and "cleaners" popular today. I already enjoy some of the plants we have in our house, but it'd be great to see this gene integrated into lots of other plants.
March 2, 2019 at 4:44 PM
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