Plants are More Effective in Absorbing Volatile Organic Compounds from the Atmosphere than Air Purifiers

Abstract

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have proved hazardous towards human health, especially Benzene and Formaldehyde. The research focussed on comparing the effectiveness of plants and air purifiers in absorbing VOCs from the atmosphere. The latter solution contains HEPA filters and activated carbon filters, both of which are known to absorb VOCs. Two variables were tested, which included the level of Formaldehyde (HCHO) and the level of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC). The test was carried out by spraying equal amounts of deodorant in each room, one with the plant and one with the air purifier, to increase the amount of VOCs in the rooms in order to check how much was absorbed by the two levels of solutions. A pollution monitor was used to measure the VOC concentrations. After carrying out statistical analysis (paired sample t-tests) at the 95% confidence level on a software called JASP, it was shown that the plant used, Sansevieria Trifasciata, absorbed VOCs, especially Formaldehyde, more effectively than the air purifier.