THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLANT-AND-TECHNOLOGY MODULAR UNIT TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Abstract

There is a wide spectrum of air cleaning products which can be purchased from stores conveniently; from air fresheners which spray fragrance aerosols to ionizers that emit ions to remove dust and airborne particles. However, these not only fail to perform their functions effectively but trigger even more health issues. To address this concern, a series of laboratory experiments was conducted to study a modular unit which deploys the use of greenery and simple technologies. Various plant properties such as sizes, colour and broadness were tested to select the most efficient component from each experiment. The technology aspects of fan and filters were also included value-add to the overall efficiency of the product. After the integration of these elements into the modular unit, a field study was carried out to determine their level of success of it in the office environment. Two identical but separate rooms were used; one acted as a control whereas another was used an experimental room. Data collection of air samples were measured in an hour. The results were promising as they proved that the modular unit had great potential in cleaning indoor air that was contaminated with formaldehyde at a concentration level of 42 ppm. The system’s removal rate was close to 50%. The fact that botanical filtration is a relatively new idea for indoor air cleaning, it would require more research and development to further enhance its efficiency.