Improve office air quality with office plants!

What could your office space have in common with a NASA spaceship? Unfortunately, the following could be the answer: poor air quality. If we look at the top five environmental risks to public health, one of them is the quality of the indoor environment. Did you know that the indoor air is often much more polluted than the outdoor air? Because of this, the indoor environment plays an important role in the quality of life. Poor air quality in the office can have a number of unpleasant consequences for your health. 

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The office at Hogehilweg 8 in Amsterdam features a partition wall made of plants. 

Air quality in the office 

It is a fact that on average we spend more than 90% of our time indoors. People with office jobs especially spend a large part of the day indoors. Unfortunately, the air quality at the office is usually not very good. Office furniture, upholstery, mould, bacteria, synthetic building materials, cleaning products and electronics such as printers and computers can emit toxic substances into your office. But too many employees in small spaces also pollute the air. In a poorly ventilated space, these substances will increase sharply. 

If the air quality in the office is substandard for a long time, pollutants get the chance to build up. As a result, too many harmful substances remain that we, as humans, should not be breathing in. Working in an office with a poor indoor environment and poor ventilation can even cause a so-called Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). This syndrome causes acute health problems, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and eye or nose irritation. Fortunately for us, scientists from NASA have been working on a study about this phenomenon. The solution appears to be easy and quick to apply to any company: Use air-purifying plants to purify the air in your office space! These types of houseplants are often found in people's living rooms, but in many office spaces plants are not present in large numbers.  

The good news is that office plants are a simple and affordable way to combat the presence of unwanted foul air. A plant comes straight from nature and is therefore a natural air freshener! Plants purify the air and this makes them part of the natural support system. 

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There are many creative ways to incorporate office plants into your office, such as this office in Amsterdam. 

Air purifying effect of office plants 

Office plants act as natural air fresheners. They absorb particles from the air. At the same time, they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. But that is not all! Micro-organisms in the plant's potting soil are also responsible for a large proportion of the air purification. Palm plants are particularly good at purifying the air in the office. An example of this is the Areca Palm. Other air purifying office plants are: 

• Spoon plant 
• Aglaonema 
• Sansevieria 
• Philodendron 
• Waringin 

Finally, about office plants 

Air quality aside, office plants make people feel better. Plants create a positive atmosphere. Moreover, it has been shown that plants increase your concentration and productivity. 

Are you looking for the most suitable plants for your office? Ask our office space specialists! 

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