Having a house with clean, fresh air is indeed everyone's dream. In Jakarta, which is known for its high level of air pollution, various methods have been used to reduce the pollution. One of them is by using a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) filter. The HEPA filter is a tool that helps to filter the air and make It cleaner.

Although many use the HEPA filter, dangerous compounds can still be found in high numbers. Small molecules such as chloroform and benzene can still escape from the device and spread freely through the air. Exposure to these two molecules has been linked to a high risk of cancer.

Keeping indoor plants is another way that can be used to help make the air cleaner. Sirih Gading, or commonly called pothos ivy, is an ornamental plant that can help to clean the air and remove toxins in the room.

A study conducted by the University of Washington discovered a way to improve the effectivity of pothos ivy to clean the air. In the research, the researcher modified the plant and added the 2E1 gene, a type of gene commonly found in mammals and humans. In the human body, the 2E1 gene is responsible for converting benzene to phenol and chloroform to carbon dioxide and chloride ions.

The results showed that modified pothos ivy could reduce the concentration of chloroform in the air by 82%, even chloroform was not detected after six days. The benzene concentration also decreased by 75% on the 8th day.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Image Google Search

Source(s):

• Zhang, L., Routsong, R., and Strand, S.E. (2018). Greatly Enhanced Removal of Volatile Organic Carcinogens by a Genetically Modified Houseplant, Pothos Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) Expressing the Mammalian Cytochrome P450 2e1 Gene. Environmental Science & Technology, DOI: DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04811.
• Science Daily - New houseplant can clean your home’s air (2018). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181219093911.htm, December 20, 2018.