Urban living can be green. City dwellers typically have smaller living spaces and rely more on walking and public transportation. They are also apt to have less lawn to mow and shorter commutes. But one thing that remains in short supply in urban centers: fresh air.
Poor air quality in the concrete jungle contributes to a range of ailments, triggering asthma and bronchitis and exacerbating heart problems. Thankfully, a recent study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology reports that simply adding greenery to our cities can significantly reduce two noxious air pollutants.
Lead author Thomas Pugh focused on nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter because these pollutants exceed safe levels on the streets of most U.S. cities. With colleagues, he sought to reveal how green plant additions would impact the quality of what scientists call ‘urban street canyons.’ The paper’s results should inspire beautification efforts from coast to coast.
The addition of climbing ivy and other green plants in dense urban areas was found to reduce harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide by 40% and particulate matter by 60%.
Past studies suggested that green plants had a much more modest impact on urban air quality, something on the order of a 5% improvement, so Pugh’s study is welcome news to those looking to improve the quality of city life.
The paper’s authors suggest planting “green billboards” to infuse concrete-and-glass landscapes with air purifying greenery. This sounds like a challenge for urban designers; but this approach could be as easy on the eyes as it is on the lungs. Let’s just avoid recreating the suburban lawn.
Web Links
Green Plants Reduce City Street Pollution Up to 8 Times More Than Previously Believed
http://www.sciencenewsline.com/articles/2012071823090006.html
Photo, taken on May 26, 2010, courtesy of Deborah Austin via Flickr.