Plants have many benefits to our health and well being and they are true 'green' facilitators. The effects they have can help save money too and make the initial investment in interior landscaping more than pay for itself.

It's so simple - people like plants and they don't have to cost the earth. Using plants makes sense and your business benefits.

Plants are good for you!

• Plants are effective in cleaning the indoor air. They absorb toxins emitted by modern building and furnishing materials, electronic equipment and even exhaust fumes which may enter buildings through windows and doors.
• Plants help to reduce absence from minor ailments. Often linked to Sick Building Syndrome, including headaches, coughs and fatigue.
• Plants at work or school help to improve concentration and productivity.
• Plants generally make us feel better. 82% of those questioned said so.
• Plants can be used effectively to absorb noise and smells in open plan offices.
• Plants can raise humidity levels. Which improves comfort levels for occupants and also reduces dust pollution.
• Plants can be used for shading and cooling. Saving money on the size of the air conditioning system.
• Plants are living evidence that you care about your environment, and value your clients and staff. To find out more about creating a healthier working environment, check out the plants at work website.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
To most clients, the idea of buying plant displays to cut costs is radical. However, if the scientists are to be believed, the introduction of one plant display per 10 sq. metres of office floor space could save British companies £330 - £650 million a year.

Prompting the research that lead to this surprising conclusion is an increasing awareness and concern in relation to a variety of problems, whose effects are collectively known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Amongst these problems, air quality is of primary importance, of which office air quality is perhaps the biggest problem - now and in the future. The evidence suggests that SBS is at its worst in modern air conditioned buildings - the very environment where over half the working population spends the majority of the day.

Since the oil crisis in the early seventies, buildings have been designed to minimise heat losses/gains (and hence costs) by allowing only a small % of air to be exchanged with external fresh air. Any pollutants in the air can quickly become concentrated and are then recycled around the building causing many of the symptoms of SBS, the most common being:

• Lethargy,
• Stuffy Nose
• Dry Throat
• Headaches
• Itching Eyes/Dry Eyes
• Runny Nose
• Flu-like symptoms
• Chest Tightness

The following table shows how effective plants have been in reducing airborn pollutants. Finding from NASA study in conjunction with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America.

Key: * Effective ** Very Effective (TCE=Trichlorethylene)