Abstract
Indoor particulate matter (PM), especially PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀, significantly impacts indoor air quality and is linked to detrimental respiratory and cardiovascular health outcomes in office settings. This research assessed the efficacy of an indoor vertical green wall system in diminishing particulate matter levels within a populated office setting. A triadic experimental investigation was performed in March across three successive years under similar seasonal circumstances within a dynamic office environment. The study included an initial phase devoid of flora, succeeded by the implementation of vertical green wall systems cultivated with Epipremnum aureum and Philodendron scandens. The daily mean concentrations of PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ were assessed under each experimental condition and analyzed using paired t-tests after verifying the normality of the paired differences. The findings indicated substantial enhancements in indoor air quality after the implementation of the green wall systems. Average PM₂.₅ levels diminished from 34 µg/m³ in baseline conditions to 26 µg/m³ with Epipremnum aureum and 28 µg/m³ with Philodendron scandens, reflecting decreases of 22.4% and 15.7%, respectively. In a similar manner, average PM₁₀ levels diminished from 55 µg/m³ to 36 µg/m³ and 42 µg/m³, indicating declines of 35.9% and 24.8%, respectively. Statistical evaluation validated that the decreases in PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ levels were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Among the assessed species, Epipremnum aureum demonstrated a markedly superior efficiency in particulate matter removal compared to Philodendron scandens. These results indicate that indoor vertical green wall systems serve as a sustainable approach to reducing particulate matter and improving indoor environmental quality.
Keywords: Biofiltration, Indoor Air Quality, PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, Particulate Matter Removal, Vertical Green Wall.