International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—The problem of PM2.5 particulate matter pollution in Thailand poses significant health risks for both tourists and population country. While this problem is commonly associated with outdoor environments, PM2.5 particulate matter has also been found to exceed the standard in indoor environments, particularly in areas with natural ventilation systems such as building corridors. The aim of this study is to identify the most cost-effective approach for utilizing plant walls to mitigate PM2.5 concentrations. The study examines two types of green walls, namely mixed plants and single plants. For the mixed plant condition, three ornamental species, Episcia cupreata (Hook.), Ficus lyrata Warb, and Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott, were used on the green wall. Only Episcia cupreata (Hook.), a plant with hairs covering the surface of the leaves, was used for the single plant condition. The green wall structure was designed into two systems, active and passive, and the experiment was conducted in a building corridor during a period when the PM2.5 concentration exceeded the standard threshold. The findings of this study reveal that active green walls exhibit an efficacy in reducing PM2.5 concentrations that is approximately 5.45 times greater compared to passive green walls. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images support the implementation of an active system that enhances the efficiency of plants in capturing PM2.5. Two active green wall panels with a single plant of Episcia cupreata (Hook.) represent the optimal solution for reducing PM2.5 in this case. This solution can control PM2.5 concentration within standard with a cost-effective rate. Additionally, plants exhibiting hairy leaves demonstrated a higher proficiency in the accumulation of PM2.5 particles compared to plants without such characteristics.

Keywords—active system, cost-effective rate, hairy leaves, passive system, PM2.5

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Cite: Itthi Plitsiri and Wannawit Taemthong, "Green Wall Systems as a Solution for PM2.5 Mitigation in Indoor Environments: Comparing Passive and Active Systems ," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 294-299, 2024.

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