Foliage plant purify naturally the air in our home Among common houseplants, none do this better than the Marble Queen and Golden Pothos. But even then, it would likely take dozens of plants to make any improvement in poor atmospheric conditions.
This story is part of CNET Zeroa series documenting the effects of climate change and exploring what is being done about the issue.
A new plant-based air purification system will be launched this week by a biotech startup new plant uses microbiome science to enhance your Queen Marble Pothos, accelerating the plant's ability to purify the air up to 30 times its normal rate. Neo Px is based on biotechnology and a unique microbiome solution that is added to the soil of plants. This modification allows the pothos to remove carcinogenic volatile organic compounds much faster than typical plants and supercharge the air to better filter it.
Power Drops are mixed using water and a proprietary powder in a supplied beaker and added to soil to supercharge common household plants.
I had the opportunity to speak with Neoplant's French co-founders Lionel Mora and Patrick Torbey about Neo Px and the broader goals of their biotech project. Tovey, who has a PhD in genome engineering, said this is the first time this particular scientific process has been used to facilitate phytoremediation, a process in which plants purify the air and combat the domestic environment. He explained. air pollutants. Neoplant's claims are supported by this peer-reviewed study (PDF) conducted in collaboration with the French university IMT.
Self-watering planters only need to be filled with water every two to three weeks.
Neo Px does not remove particles that are the same as other particles. HEPA air purifier, so it's not a one-for-one replacement for those machines, explained Mora, the company's CEO. Instead, the plant-powered system consists of a minimal self-watering planter and a proprietary Power Drop solution (a powder mixed with water) that, when added to the soil, naturally captures and removes VOCs such as benzene. will increase. toluene and xylene.
A 2022 study showed that natural gas stoves leak harmful amounts of benzene even when not in use.
Often referred to as “BTX” for short, these three harmful chemicals are emitted by common household products such as furniture, nail polish, paint, plastic packaging, and household cleaners.
If benzene sounds familiar, it's because Two recent studies showed a natural appearance gas stove When not in use, harmful amounts of benzene leak out, a chemical that can cause childhood asthma and other health complications. Once the Neo Px microbiome captures benzene, it breaks it down into carbon sources such as amino acids and sugars, which are used to feed the plants themselves.
The Neo Px may not be as capable of removing solid particles, including smoke and dust, from the air as electronic air purifiers, but unlike these models, the Neo Px system requires no power and is noise-free. It's always “on”.
The new plant-based Neo Px is not a 1:1 air purifier replacement.
The plant used in the company's first Neo Px air purification system is the Marble Queen Pothos, but Toby says it's working on genetically modified plants for the next iteration, which could purify air at a higher clip. He spoke.
Mora and Tovey did not comment on specifics, but the technology could do more to combat widespread air pollution and some of the most serious human health problems associated with or resulting from climate change. He hinted that it could have widespread use. global warming.
The Neo Px Microbiome Purification System is currently available from: Neoplant website. Price is $119 and includes 6 months of power reduction. For the soil to work at full strength, a replenisher must be added every three months. Refill drops cost $39, or $13 per month.
