January 30, 2002—Plantsatwork.org, an organization to promote the use of plants in the workplace, has released data to encourage building owners and managers to incorporate more interior landscaping into their buildings.
Among the organizations findings: live interior plantscapes significantly lower Operating & Maintenance costs—energy and cooling as well as grounds maintenance expenses—while also increasing aesthetic value, enhancing customer and employee perception of the property. According to the organization, plants have proven to be an economical way to manage the growing risks and liabilities associated with poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Plants absorb sound, contributing to heightened productivity levels.
Plants cool by a process called transpiration, which, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, decreases air temperature in offices by ten degrees. A recent study out of Washington State University demonstrates that plant transpiration in an office environment releases moisture, creating a humidity level exactly matching the recommended human comfort range of 30-60 percent. For more information about the benefits of interior landscaping, contact Plants at Work.
