'Living walls' clean chemicals from the atmosphere

Nedlaw's walls use biofiltration to keep air clean More than 10 years have passed since the US Environmental Protection Agency ranked indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental threats to public health and one of the largest remaining health risks in the United States. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology also noted that 50 percent of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by poor indoor air quality. An indoor air environment is a complex soup containing over two hundred different chemicals. These chemicals are emitted from furniture, building materials (fabrics, plywood, paints, carpeting etc), occupants and certain activities performed within the space. Many of these chemicals, commonly referred to as "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs), are suspected cancer-causing agents. VOCs will negatively impact the well-being of occupants if allowed to accumulate unchecked. Nedlaw Living Walls utilise the ability of plants and the microorganisms to filter pollutants out of stale air, providing fresh indoor oxygen. The companies owner, former research scientist Alan Darlington, earned his PhD studying sustaining life in closed spaces. He formed the living walls to break down VOCs (up to 90 percent of them) through the process of biofiltration. This technology is based upon nature’s inherent ability to repair itself when it is stressed or damaged. Self-rejuvenation is responsible for keeping outside air "fresh". Buildings can be retrofitted with living walls, or the system can be integrated in to the air conditioning. Those on a smaller budget could try easier to maintain options. For example, wall coverings made from natural fibres such as bamboo and banana, and organic bedding such as Devon Duvets, which are filled with Platinum Certified, organic British fleece wool.
Go to www.naturaire.com for more information on living walls.