Indoor plants reduce carbon dioxide by 20% in homes, schools and hospitals – Corriere.it

Not only fragrant and beautiful to look at, but also precious allies to protect health. There is one more reason to decorate homes, schools, offices and hospitals with indoor plants: science says so. Or rather, a study conducted by the Institute for the Bioeconomy of the National Research Council (Ibe-Cnr) in collaboration with Coldiretti, Affi (Italian Floriculturists and Florists Association) and AssoFloro. Presented on Thursday in Leverano (Lecce) on the occasion of the first National Congress of the Flower, it has in fact demonstrated that
the introduction of some specific varieties such as sanseveria, chamadorea, yucca, ficus and schefflera reduces carbon dioxide concentrations inside buildings by 20%.thus counteracting the onset of headaches and respiratory problems. On the other hand, the decrease in PM 2.5 fine particles was quantified at around 15%.particularly dangerous since it is able to reach the pulmonary alveoli thanks to their very small size.

In light of this evidence, obtained with the help of the Saffi Hotel Institute of Florence, Coldiretti has defined indoor plants as a simple, available and economical solution to counter the so-called “sick building syndrome”, a condition that causes exhaustion and malaise and, according to the WHO, affects one in five buildings in the West. More specifically, these are enclosed spaces characterized by the presence of formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, tetrachlorethylene and other volatile organic compounds: all substances that the flowers and leaves have absorbed even in closed environments. Conversely, the benefits of outdoor greenery have long been widely known. An analysis by Coldiretti itself has shown, for example, that one hectare of plants can remove well from the environment 20 tons of carbon dioxide per year. In addition, an urban green area of ​​1,500 square meters also contributes to contrastsking the heat
lowering the temperature on average by
1.5C and spreading its effects even tens of meters away.

The enhancement of the role of green areas in protecting the health of citizens represents a new opportunity to promote a pivotal sector for the Italian economyto

such as floriculturedeclared the president of Coldiretti on the sidelines of the publication of the report Ettore Prandiniexplaining that the sector is worth over 2.57 billion euros with the involvement of 27,000 flower and nursery companies active in Italy on 30,000 cultivated hectares which guarantee work along the entire supply chain 200 thousand people nationwide. In this sense, the National Flower Congress was organized precisely for the purpose of promote the relaunch of Italian floriculture and made in Italy flowers on national and international markets. It also affects the collective well-being.