Research

Plants with significant, proven air-purifying properties

By Prof. Dr. Bert van Duijn from Fytagoras Plant Science (a TNO company)

Air So Pure is a group of plants with scientifically proven health benefits. We have specially selected these ‘natural air purifiers’ for their significant air-purifying effects.

Prof. dr. Bert van Duijn from Fytagoras Plant Science (a member of the TNO knowledge organisation), says: “We have a great deal of expertise in the area of plant research, particularly as regards the (bio)chemical, physiological and cultivation aspects. To find out just how much pot plants can purify the air, we developed a general plant test in which we gave all pot plants a score between 1 and 10. As well as the plants in the Air So Pure range, we also tested a number of pot plants chosen at random. We noticed that some plants were very good at purifying the air pollutants (including formaldehyde) while other plants had little to no effect on the indoor environment.”

The Air So Pure growers all received an official air purification certificate from Fytagoras Plant Science. Download the air purification certificate here

Dutch research at schools reveals that Plants in the Classroom do their homework

By Dr. John Klein Hesselink from TNO and Prof. Dr. Bert van Duijn from Fytagoras Plant Science

Research in companies has shown that certain plants have a significant air-purifying effect. As the indoor climate improves as a result, people can work more effectively and with increased concentration. It makes people feel better too.

Do these plants have the same effect in primary schools? In 2010-2011, TNO and Fytagoras carried out research into the effects of the Air So Pure air-purifying plants at four schools.

Without plants in the classroom
Initially, in all 12 rooms at the schools in Leiden, Gouda and The Hague, the researchers examined the indoor climate and the concentration levels and learning performance of the children. This test lasted 10 weeks. The levels of CO2, humidity, temperature and air pollution were recorded continuously.

Testing the children
The concentration levels and learning performance of the children were also tested. They were also asked about their health.
After this initial research, it was possible to determine how many plants of each type should be placed in the classroom. The plant calculator was developed for this purpose.

With plants in the classroom
In the second part of the study, air-purifying plants were placed in 8 rooms and 4 rooms were left without plants. The same measurements were then taken over a period of 16 weeks. At the end of this period, the concentration levels and learning performance of the pupils were measured once again. Their health was also examined as before.

Results of the Plants in the Classroom study:
In classrooms with plants where sufficient (>15) PAR light was present on a regular basis, positive effects were demonstrated:

• 10-20% CO2 reduction
• Air-purifying effect of the plants, reducing “unsavoury odours” to 0 within 45 minutes
• 7% fewer health-related issues
• Increased creativity and scores for tasks and tests improved by more than 20% (there was a 35% improvement for the test which involved deciphering a secret code)

After the research
Once the research came to an end, the children from the schools in question visited the Westland area. After having been amazed by the hustle and bustle at the FloraHolland auction, the pupils visited a plant nursery where they learned all about growing plants.

The schools also received teaching materials explaining why plants are simply a must in the home, office and school.