KAILUA-KONA — One way to ease harsh effects from heavy and persistent vog is to bring the outside in.
It sounds counterintuitive. But the best measure, and perhaps the only measure other than complex air filtration systems almost as pricey to operate as they are to buy, is to use the power of nature itself — specifically plant life.
In other words, to go green.
“Plants absorb volatile organic compounds from the air into their leaves and then translocate them to their root zone, where microbes break them down,” according to a paper published in 2007 by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
Flora’s potential as a natural disposal source for polluted air actually began underwater as part of research on cleaning up biological warfare centers conducted in the 1960s by Bill Wolverton, an environmental scientist working then for the U.S. military.
He discovered swamp plants naturally cleared Agent Orange that seeped into the water. He later continued his work for NASA, expanding to studies of plant life’s impact on air quality.
Now a widely accepted fact, the state Department of Agriculture is encouraging those particularly sensitive to vog who spend much of their time holed up in their homes to surround themselves with 10, 15 or 20 common house plants.
“It would take a lot (of plants) to make a difference,” said Norman Bezona, a horticultural consultant and author of the weekly Tropical Gardening column. He also oversees the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary. “The more, the better.”
Establishing abundant indoor collections of plant life also would help Hawaii Island nurseries struggling because of the current Kilauea volcano eruption, said Sharon Hurd, acting administrator of the DOA’s Agriculture Development Division.
While the indoor plant strategy is far from a cure all, NASA, CTAHR and Bezona say it shouldn’t be overlooked. Bezona, who lives at an altitude of 3,000 feet, said he feels no effects on a daily basis despite being enveloped in heavy vog that frequently obscures Hualalai from the sight of those below.
He thinks that’s because of the lush vegetation that surrounds him. But as soon as Bezona dips below 2,000 feet of elevation, he starts to feel it — burning eyes, an irritated throat and all the rest of the symptoms portions of Hawaii Island have become familiar with since the eruption began last month.
Some plant life withstands and mitigates pollution better than others. Bezona recommended anything in the Philodendron family.
CTAHR notes the bamboo palm, lady palm and peace lily are all effective agents against air pollutants, as well.
A list of plants suitable for this purpose along with complete descriptions and effectiveness ratings is available by visiting www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/of-39.pdf.
NASA noted research also indicates plants improve psychological welfare and help humans recover more quickly from illness.
Email Max Dible at mdible@westhawaiitoday.com.