British scientists from the University of Cambridge examined the possibilities of protecting schools and playgrounds from car exhaust using green spaces. To work published In the scientific journal Science of The Total Environment (STTE).
Children who attend schools near busy roads are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution because their airways are still developing and they breathe more frequently than adults.
Experts measured pollution levels along the six-lane highway and in the schoolyard behind the fence 30 meters from the highway. Tests showed that the plants reduced the PM10 microparticle concentration (up to 10 micrometers) by 78% compared to roadside air, and the PM2.5 microdust concentration (up to 2.5 micrometers) fell by 80%.
The best plant for controlling smoke has been found to be Thuja plica, also known as Western red cedar.
“Western red cedar is excellent at trapping particle pollution because it has abundant, thin, evergreen leaves that trap roadside airborne dust,” said study co-author Professor Barbara Maher.
Meteorologists before warned About the deterioration of global air quality due to climate change.