• Korea Science and Art Forum
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.297-308
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• 2019

Air pollution due to the fine dust level updating every day, and the problem of indoor air pollution due to ventilation difficulties and indoor discharge pollutants is also serious. In order to improve the indoor air quality, the air purification effect using the plants is prominent. In this study was started to investigated the living environment of modern people, the risk of indoor air pollution and the improvement function of plants, and to activate plant application. The purpose of this study is to analyze the main functions and design status of domestic and overseas plant - related applications, and to understand the actual use of modern plant applications and to help them learn more convenient plant - related knowledge. Therefore, this paper attempted to establish a basis for suggesting a new plant application by conducting a survey on the health effects of indoor air pollution and user awareness of plant - related applications. The results and contents of the study are as follows. First, as a theoretical review, indoor air pollution is more dangerous to modern people who have a high proportion of indoor living time and adversely affects their health. In order to solve such a problem, it has been shown that air conditioning and stress reduction can be effectively achieved by placing plants in the indoor space. Second, the analysis of the previous study shows the risk of indoor air pollution and its adverse effects on health. In addition, I have been able to find some researches related to the improvement of the indoor air by using the air purifying plants, and I can see the improvement of the user's behavior through the development or improvement of the application. Third, as a result of the survey on the status of domestic and overseas plant application, the main function of the application having high installation number was watering notification, provision of basic information of plants, and most of the functions were plant discerment through cameras. Fourth, most of the survey respondents have either raised or raised plants. Those who have little experience with plant applications have also shown positive feedback in the future on the use of plant-related applications. In addition, due to social problems such as air pollution, air purification using plants and functional plants showed high interest. Based on these results, we propose the need for a multi-functional plant application that can improve the indoor air pollution and facilitate the provision of information related to it.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.183-189
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• 2023

Background: The indoor air quality of classrooms, in which the capacity per unit area is high and students spend time together, must be managed for safety and comfort. It is necessary to develop an eco-friendly indoor air quality reduction method rather than biased management that relies solely on air purifiers. Objectives: In this study, plants and air purifiers were installed in middle school classrooms to evaluate the indoor PM_2.5 reduction. Methods: Four middle school classrooms were selected as test beds. Air quality was monitored in real-time every one minute using IoT equipment installed in the classrooms, corridors, and rooftops. After measuring the background concentration, plants and air purifiers were installed in the classroom and the PM_2.5 reduction effect was analyzed through continuous monitoring. Results: After installing the plants and air purifiers, the average PM_2.5 concentration was 33.7 ㎍/m³ in the classrooms without plants and air purifiers, 25.6 ㎍/m³ in classrooms with plants only, and 21.7 ㎍/m³ in classrooms with air purifiers only. In the classroom where plants and air purifiers were installed together, it was 20.0 ㎍/m³. The reduction rates before and after installation were 4.5% for classrooms with plants only, 16.5% for classrooms with air purifiers only, and 27.6% for classrooms with both plants and air purifiers. The I/O ratio, which compares the concentration of PM_2.5 in classrooms with corridors and outside air, also showed the lowest in the order of plants and air purifiers, air purifiers, and plant-only classrooms. Conclusions: The PM_2.5 reduction effect of using plants was confirmed, and it is expected to be used as basic data for the development of environmentally-friendly indoor air quality improvement methods.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2019

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of mosses on the removal of particulate matter (PM 10) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in an indoor space and on the composition of air. For particulate matter removal experiments, 0.2 g mosquitto coil was burned in a glass chamber, where three kinds of mosses (Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Myuroclada maximowiczii, Etodon luridus) were placed. For VOCs removal experiments, 1 mL paint thinner was volatilized in a glass chamber, where Plagiomnium cuspidatum and Myuroclada maximowiczii were used. As a result, it was found that particulate matter was effectively removed by the three mosses, and the removal efficiency of particulate matter increased as the amount of mosses increased. The amount of VOCs was similar to the level in the control when a low amount of mosses (2 and 4 plates) was used. However, the removal efficiency of VOCs was significant when 6 plates of mosses were used. On the other hand, formaldehyde concentration was 40 times more than the control and carbon monoxide 30 times, when 0.2 g of mosquito repellent was completely burned in a glass chamber. Also formaldehyde removal effect was significant when 6 plates of mosses were placed. However, there was no change in the concentration of indoor oxygen, temperature and humidity by moss plants. In conclusion, the moss plants were effective in removing particulate matter and VOCs, and they are expected to be used for indoor decoration and landscape in order to improve indoor air quality in the future.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.29
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• pp.14.1-14.8
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• 2014

Objectives Some plants were placed in indoor locations frequented by asthmatics in order to evaluate the quality of indoor air and examine the health benefits to asthmatics. Methods The present study classified the participants into two groups: households of continuation and households of withdrawal by a quasi-experimental design. The households of continuation spent the two observation terms with indoor plants, whereas the households of withdrawal passed the former observation terms with indoor plants and went through the latter observation term without any indoor plants. Results The household of continuation showed a continual decrease in the indoor concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the entire observation period, but the household of withdrawal performed an increase in the indoor concentrations of VOCs, except formaldehyde and toluene during the latter observation term after the decrease during the former observation term. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) increased in the households of continuation with the value of 13.9 L/min in the morning and 20.6 L/min in the evening, but decreased in the households of withdrawal with the value of -24.7 L/min in the morning and -30.2 L/min in the evening in the first experimental season. All of the households exhibited a decrease in the value of PEFR in the second experimental season. Conclusions Limitations to the generalizability of findings regarding the presence of plants indoors can be seen as a more general expression of such a benefit of human-environment relations.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1990

Forty different apartment houses were subjected to assess the status of indoor - landscaping plants found at each apartment house in Seoul for the year of 1986 and 7989. 1. Comparing with those of 1986, 46% increase in total indoor plant species and 68% increase in the number of them were observed. The most abundant sort found in 1786 was oriental orchid, African violet, Scindapsus, cacti, and Clivia, and in 1989, first with oriental orchid, cacti, Chlorophytum, Clivia and Dracaena, in that order. 2. Foliage ornamental plants were mast popularly found in both years of 1986 and 1989 when considered for horticultural classification of plants. 3. Average plant height ranged between 15 to 30 cm in the year of i986, whereas 31 to 80 cm in 1987, indicaling that the size of plants has greatly increased. 4. Kind of planters or containers was most frequently shown to be made of plastic material in both years, and the porcelain ones have significantly been increased to use recently. 5. Most indoor plants placed at the rooms were on the floor in those years, yet the use of planting shelves became particularly manifesting in the year of 1989. 6. Fittonia and cacti were the most frequently used plant materials for installing terrariums at apartment rooms In the year of 1986, whereas Adiantum and Maranta were so in 1989, indicating that the growers choose much adaptable species in apartment environments. Most of the plants grown to landscaping the indoors was apartment verandas in those years. 8. Average number of indoor plants possessed at each apartment houses surveyed for the year of 1986 was 16 different ones, whereas 27 each In 1789, shoving a noteworthy increase in the number. 9. There have been apparent increase and improvement inhabitant's indoor - plant interest in the years to pass and probably to come.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1499-1508
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• 2013

In the results of investigating the role of LED light quality in enhancing the ornamental value of indoor foliage plants, amber and red light increased plant height, leaf width, and leaf stalk, and the consequent tree shape decreased the ornamental value. The chlorophyll content increased significantly under white light and compound light. With regard to the effect of plant leaf color on ornamental value, the value of lightness was markedly enhanced by red light. As to the functionality of plants according to photosynthetic activity, plants such as Dieffenbachia, Clusia, and Dracaena were found favorable to those staying indoors for a longtime from morning to evening. Spathiphyllum, and Ficus were found to be recommendable for indoor spaces used actively during afternoon because their photosynthesis was activated in the afternoon. With regard to power consumption according to light quality, white light consumed 119 W/hour, around 45% lower than that of fluorescent lamps, so it is considered the optimal artificial light quality that can enhance energy efficiency. Red light consumed 72 W/hour, only 33% of that of fluorescent lamps, but it was not considered the optimal light quality because plant growth was poor under the light quality. White light and compound light were found to be the ideal light sources for improving the functionality and ornamental value of indoor plants and reducing the cost of maintenance, but because compound light hinders people from recognizing the original color of plants and makes their eyes easily tired, white light was considered the optimal light satisfying all of the ornamental value, economic efficiency and functionality resulting from plant growth.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.147-155
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• 2005

This study was designed to investigate the effect of plant as a botanical air purification on the indoor pollution by formaldehyde. Three indoor plants such as Dracaena marhginata, Spathiphyllum and Dracaena reflexa, were placed in the artificially contaminated reactor under laboratory condition. Both plant and soil effects on removal of formaldehyde from contaminated indoor air were observed. Reductions in the formaldehyde levels appeared to have been associated with soil medium factors as well as plant factors. The effect of soil on formaldehyde reduction was high in the early stage of the experiment and the results suggest that sorption could be more important factor than microbial degradation in the initial dissipation of contaminants in the soil. It was suggested that the effect of plant on formaldehyde reduction might be related to the plant species, total leaf surface area of plant, degree of contribution of soil medium, and exposed concentration level. The results of this study showed that air purification using plants is an effective means of reduction on indoor formaldehyde level, though, utilization of soil media with high sorption capacity and/or supplementary purifying aids were also suggested when the source is continuous or exposed concentration level is high.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.39-44
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• 2007

The purpose of this research is to study security of $CO_2$ exhaust at night in indoor air quality purifying system using plants. For this purpose, two same units for experiment were built, and difference of $CO_2$ exhaust by existence and nonexistence of plantation were measured. To reduce error by entrance of people, automatic measurement system were developed and used. At first, baseline were measured to check standard value, and next, $CO_2$ exhaust by plantation were measured. As a result, in baseline experiment, values of all spaces were steady as 400~500 ppm. When plantation was set-up, value of $CO_2$ at night was measured high as 150 ppm, and maximum value was around 600 ppm. This result is a lot lower than maximum standard of $CO_2$, 1000 ppm.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.637-646
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• 2020

Background and objective: The main objective of this study is to measure the amount of particulate matter (PM) reduction under different characteristics of leaves in 18 different species of indoor plants. Methods: First, a particular amount of PM was added to the glass chambers (0.9×0.86×1.3 m) containing the indoor plant (height = 40 ± 20 cm), and the PM concentration were measured at 2-hour intervals. The experiment with the same conditions was conducted in the empty chamber as the control plot. Results: The range of PM reduction per unit leaf area of 18 species of experimental plants was 3.3-286.2 ㎍·m^-2 leaf, total leaf area was 1,123-4,270 cm², and leaf thickness was 0.14-0.80 mm and leaf size 2.27-234.47 cm². As time passed, the concentration of PM decreased more in the chamber with plants than in the empty chamber. Among the 18 indoor plants, the ones with the greatest reduction in PM2.5 in 2 hours and 4 hours of exposure to PM2.5 were Pachira aquatica and Dieffenbachia amoena. As the exposure time of PM increased, the efficiency of reducing PM2.5 was higher in plants with medium-sized leaves than plants with large or small leaves. The effect of reducing PM2.5 was higher in linear leaves than round or lobed leaves. Plants with high total leaf area did not have advantage in reducing PM because the leaves were relatively small and there were many overlapping parts between leaves. In the correlation between leaf characteristics and PM 2.5 reductions, all leaf area and leaf thickness showed a negative and leaf size showed a positive correlation with PM reduction. Conclusion: The PM reduction effect of plants with medium-sized leaves and long linear leaves was relatively high. Moreover, plants with a large total leaf area without overlapping leaves will have advantaged in reducing PM. Plants are effective in reducing PM, and leaf characteristics are an important factor that affects PM reduction.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.114-119
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• 2000

This study was carried out to obtain fundamental information of growth response of ground cover plants under artificial light quality at indoor. Aglaonema 'Silver Queen', Hedera helix L., Hoya carnosa 'Tricolor' and Saintpaulia ionantha 'Frances' were examined under a 400lux light intensity consisted of Mercury lamp, True-lite lamp, incandescent lamp, dark-room and sunlight indoor condition. A data analysis were performed by GLM, Duncan's multiple range test and mean score with SAS program. Results of experiments are as follows; 1. A plant growth status was better showed under the True-lite lamp than sunlight. 2. A Saintpaulia ionantha flower color was responded in the first place, the deep pinkish red color of Saintpaulia ionantha flower was obtained under Mercury lamp and "True-lite lamp", "sunlight", and incandescent lamp were follow. Flower numbers of Saintpaulia ionantha after 60 days tended to decrease under every artificial light quality. 3. Leaf length and leaf width were increased under True-lite lamp, but most of plants was not significantly affected by artificial light quality. 4. A stem length of Hedera helix was increased the highest rank under sunlight also, one of artificial light, the highest increase rank was showed under incandescent lamp. 5. Chlorophyll content was highly increased under Mercury lamp, but was responded poor under incandescent lamp.