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Impact of interior living walls on indoor air quality : study in a dynamic environment Cheung, Ivan

Abstract

Interior living walls are promoted partly due to their ability to improve indoor air quality, and possibly reduce energy consumption related to ventilation. However, the studies done to demonstrate this ability are largely conducted in conditions that differs from those of building environments, and they have only focused on a single factor that impacts indoor air quality. This study examined several factors that living walls can affect indoor air quality (volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, relative humidity, and bioaerosols) and evaluated how each of these may improve or reduce indoor air quality. A test chamber was designed to simulate building environment conditions, including temperature, lighting, and ventilation. Three volatile organic compounds and CO₂ were added into the test chamber to simulate occupancy. Samples were taken in the test chamber with and without a living wall to determine differences due to the presence of a living wall. The interior living wall removed CO₂ and one of the three volatile organic compounds in the test chamber, increased relative humidity, and promoted the increased presence of bioaerosols. While living walls may improve some aspect of indoor air quality, considerations must be taken to mitigate the other impacts on indoor air quality.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International