Tratamiento de la calidad del aire interior mediante el uso de plantas de tipo ornamental.

This work is proposed to evaluate the use of phytoremediation as a technique to eliminate the particulate matter lower than 10 and 2,5 µm (PM10 y PM2,5, respectively) present in indoor environments due to the associated adverse effects related to the public health damage and the population performance reduction at work level. For this purpose, arrangements made up of 6 ornamental plants readily available were used, such as the green miami (Epipremnum aureum), the aloe (Aloe vera), the peace flower (Spathiphyllum sp.), the curly fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), the syngonium (Syngonium podophyllum) and mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata); which were installed in different dependencies of a higher education institution, where the level of PM2,5 and PM10 was previously determined. Once the arrangements were implemented, these measurements were averaged and compared with the data recorded to estimate their PM2,5 and PM10 removal percentage. In general, the positive effect associated with the implementation of the selected ornamental arrangements was evidenced, especially that one constituted by 2 individuals of Nephrolepis exaltata, in comparison with the dependencies used as a control. Therefore, phytoremediation may be considered as a solution to the environmental problem related to indoor air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]