In the modern times pollution has become the biggest menace for the survival of the biological species. There are different types of pollution e.g. air, water, soil, sound and mental pollution. Earth was the beautiful landscape but man has ruthlessly exploited for his greed specially, in the last century. With sporadic industrialization and random urbanization environmental pollution has become the serious problem. Over exploitation of open spaces, ever-increasing number of automobiles and the demographic pressure has further aggravated the problem. There are different ways and means to mitigate the urban environmental pollution. Plan-ting of trees and the shrubs for abatement of pollution and improvement of environment is a much effective way and well recognized throughout the world. Earlier, the purpose of planting trees in the urban areas was purely aesthetic (Sheldon et al., 1988a). The incessant increase of urban environmental pollution has necessitated to typically reconsider the whole approach of urban landscaping and its orientation in the order to achieve duel effect i.e. bio-aesthetics and mitigation of pollution.

1. Air Purifying Plants-An Overview
BY DR.SREEREMYA

2. • INTRODUCTION
• In the modern times pollution has become the biggest menace for the survival of
the biological species. There are different types of pollution e.g. air, water, soil,
sound and mental pollution. Earth was the beautiful landscape but man has
ruthlessly exploited for his greed specially, in the last century. With sporadic
industrialization and random urbanization environmental pollution has become
the serious problem. Over exploitation of open spaces, ever-increasing number of
automobiles and the demographic pressure has further aggravated the problem.
There are different ways and means to mitigate the urban environmental
pollution. Plan-ting of trees and the shrubs for abatement of pollution and
improvement of environment is a much effective way and well recognized
throughout the world. Earlier, the purpose of planting trees in the urban areas was
purely aesthetic (Sheldon et al., 1988a). The incessant increase of urban
environmental pollution has necessitated to typically reconsider the whole
approach of urban landscaping and its orientation in the order to achieve duel
effect i.e. bio-aesthetics and mitigation of pollution.

3. • Pollution, the main problem in cities, is compounded by the fact that there
is no exhaust for the polluted air to escape. Landscape architects can solve
the pollution problems rakished to urban landscape by creating the micro-
climate (Sheldon et al., 1988b).
• Pollution
• Pollution is delineated as ‘an undesirable change in physical, chemical and
biological characteristics of air, water and the land that may be harmful to
living organisms, living conditions and cultural assets. The pollution
control board delineated pollution as unfavourable alteration of our
surrounding, largely as the byproduct of human activities. The pollution
may be due to human activities or the natural ecosystems .Natural
pollution contaminates the air by storms, forest fire, the volcanoes and
natural processes (methane from marshy lands) (Wolverton et al., 1984).
Nature by and large treats, the recycles and makes good use of the
pollutants and renders them less harmful, whereas the man-made
pollutants threaten the integrity of the nature.

4. • Pollutants
• The substances, which cause pollution, are called pollutants.
Pollutant is delineated as any substance that is mainly released
intentionally or inadvertently by man into the environment in such
a concentration that may have quite adverse effect on
environmental health. Environment Protection Act, 1986 EPA, 1986)
delineates pollutant, as any solid, liquid or gaseous substance
present in such a concentration as may be, or tend to be, much
injurious to environment (Wolverton et al., 1987).
• Air Pollution
• Air is necessary for the survival of all the higher forms of life on
earth. On an average, a person needs at least 30 lb of the air every
day to live, but only about 3 lb of water and 1.5 lb of food. A person
can live about 4- 5 weeks without food and about 5 days without
water, but only 5 -6 minutes without air (Wolverton et al.,1985).

5. • INDOOR PLANT LIST FOR CLEANER AND FRESHER AIR
• The following plants can brighten the office as well as removing the
common toxins from the indoor environment. Those marked with
an asterix have been tested by NASA organization in their research
on purifying the air in space stations using common houseplants.
With a little forethought one can choose the perfect plant to
improve your work aesthetics and also health.
• Zanzibar Gem or Zamia (Zamioculcas Zamifolia)
• The ideal office plants for busy workers as they are the striking
foliage plant that is virtually indestructible. Zanzibar Gem’s shiny,
the waxy leaves are divided into a number of smaller leaflets. New
leaves emerge as the upright spikes from which the leaflets
gradually unfold. The Zanibar Gem requires in frequent watering
and will tolerate very much low light conditions. No direct sunlight
(Wolverton et al., 1987a).

6. • Xanadu (Philodendron Xanadu)
• Philodendrons were shown to be particularly effective in removing the toxins in a
NASA study. The Philodendron xanaduis the great tropical foliage plant with
attractive lobed leaves that are richly green and quite lush. Compact and tidy, it is
ideal as an indoor plant for tables and the desks. Requires indirect light.
• Peace Lily or Madonna lily (Spathiphyllum)
• The Peace Lily is the great natural remover of indoor air pollution. This attractive
glossy plant also generates frequent beautiful white half shaped blooms on long
stems. This plant will thrive with the bright indirect light. They prefer moist
conditions and leaves will brown if the plant is not properly getting enough
humidity (Wolverton et al., 1987b).
• Janet Craig (Dracaena Deremensis)
• The dark-green leaves of the ‘Janet Craig’ make it a most attractive and intriguing
plant. It is one of the best plants for removing the air pollutants and is rated 5th on
NASA’s official study of two pair purifying plants. This plant works well as an office
plant because it can thrive in the lower light conditions that are often found in
indoors. A location that receives bright but indirect light garners for best growth
(Wolverton et al., 1986).

7. REFERNCE
•
• Journal of Pharmacy and Medicinal Research,
Air Purifying Plants-An Overview,
Dr.S.Sreeremya ,2020.Vol 2(1):1-9.