With air purifiers being out of budget for many, what role can indoor plants really play in tackling indoor air pollution?
We spoke to environmental experts about snake plants to understand if they can be a realistic replacement for air purifiers.
‘‘Snake plant is a hardy succulent and it plays a significant role in curbing air pollution. It purifies the air by absorbing toxins through the leaves and producing pure oxygen. Whereas most other plants release carbon dioxide in the absence of photosynthesis during the night, the snake plants produce oxygen. It also releases moisture and lessens airborne allergens,’’ says Rajveer Singh Brar, an environmentalist based in Kapurthala, Punjab.
According to Mudita Chauhan, Bsc, Biotechnology student at Shoolini University, ‘’Snake plant most specifically Sansevierias are known for their ability to purify or detoxify air by removing or absorbing harmful air particles like cancer-inducing components, nitrogen oxide, C02, etc."
“In a study done in 2015, it was observed that snake plants remove carbon dioxide during night time and release oxygen. Thus it helps in providing a healthy environment. According to WHO, major sources of benzene are automobiles from attached garage, heating and cooling system, solvents. Exposure to benzene causes nausea and vomiting,’’ says Rajveer Brar.
He adds, “Snake plants also help in absorbing formaldehyde from the air. Formaldehyde emits from cooking, smoking, cosmetics etc and formaldehyde resin paints on wooden furniture are the major sources of formaldehyde.’’
Xylene is mainly produced from petroleum products. Buildings with poor ventilation have a higher level of xylene. In a normally ventilated house xylene ranges from 1-10 ppb. Snake plants absorb xylene in the indoor environment and are useful in buildings with poor ventilation.
Snake plants are cost-efficient. An air purifier can cost anywhere from Rs 10,000 to 40,000. An average snake plant will cost around Rs 500, inclusive of a claypot.
It helps that snake plants, unlike purifiers, are completely biodegradable and dumping them won't harm the environment.
He adds that "snake plants can not only help in reducing toxins, but they are also resilient and low maintenance and also greenery has therapeutic effects on the body and mind.”
If you are planning on keeping the plants indoor, don't over water them. Once or twice is week is enough.
Also, they grow best in indirect sunlight.
It's important to keep them away from pets and children as the leaves, if consumed, are mildly toxic.
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