A Study on the effect of Snake Plants on Indoor Air Quality and Human Well-being in a Private Hostel in Aizawl, Mizoram

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the impact of snake plants on indoor air quality and human health in a private girls' hostel in Aizawl, Mizoram, for four months. Rooms such as kitchen, non-ventilated, and ventilated were sampled for formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), temperature, and humidity. Objective: To evaluate the effect of snake plants on indoor air quality and residents’ well-being in different rooms of the hostel. Methodology: Snake plants were added progressively from zero to three per room for every month. Measurements of HCHO, TVOC, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, temperature, and humidity were done weekly, residents’ health, mood, and productivity were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to determine whether snake plants improve indoor air quality and promote human well-being, while also evaluating their effect on mold growth in different room conditions. Results: HCHO concentration was found highest in a non-ventilated room at 0.0675 µg/m³ and lowest in a ventilated room at 0.03 µg/m³. TVOC levels showed a varied from 0.28 mg/m³ in non-ventilated to 0.15 µg/m³ in ventilated rooms. Particulate matter (PM_2.5) showed a maximum of 60 µg/m³ in the kitchen but declined to 29.5 µg/m³ in ventilated rooms. Resident surveys on health related showed positively influences air quality and a mean mood rating of 3.33, work productivity of 3.0 on a 5-point scale. There was a strong positive correlation between relative humidity and mold growth at all rooms (Pearson's r = 0.872 & 0.914). Conclusion: These findings indicate that snake plants are an affordable, low-tech intervention for improving indoor air quality and limiting mold growth, thus promoting residents’ health.