A Study on the Effect of Aerosol Deodorizer on Chinese Evergreen Plant (Aglaoenema commutatum)

Jamima Cruz, Patricia Echavez, Shaira Javier, Pamela Marquez, Krizia Roselo, Selena Sison Year II Section 4 Assumption Antipolo Biology December 7, 2010

Abstract Recently it has become a common necessity to have homes smelling clean and fresh, typically with the help of aerosol deodorizers. Another item that has become common in households is indoor plants. Because the aerosol deodorizers kept indoors are used almost everyday, they could greatly affect the plants that are within range of their chemical contents. Aerosol sprays in general are known to contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are dangerous to the environment because of the gas components carbon, fluorine, and chlorine that make it a greenhouse gas. This study aims to present the effect of aerosol deodorizers on the common indoor plant, Chinese Evergreen (Aglaoenema commutatum). To test this, the proponents prepared two set-ups, both containing one Chinese Evergreen (A. commutatum) plant. For the duration of the experimentation, both plants were kept indoors and sprayed with water daily, but only one was sprayed with an aerosol deodorizer for five seconds each night. At the end of each week, the proponents took note of both plants physical states and pictures were taken for documentation. The experimental plants leaves started to dry and wither after two days, while the controlled plant remained the same. After at least three weeks of experimentation, the plant sprayed with the aerosol deodorizer had become unhealthy and the controlled plant continued to grow. It has been concluded by the proponents that the effect of using aerosol deodorizers is withering and possible death of a Chinese Evergreen (A.commutatum) plant. This is caused by the chemical ingredients of the spray that is very harmful to the environment.

Acknowledgements The proponents would like to acknowledge the following: Various Assumption Antipolo students for participating in the groups survey on the popularity of aerosol deodorizers in their households; Ms. Evelyn Cruz for guiding the group throughout their discussion and experimentation process

Table of Contents Introduction i. ii. iii. Statement of the Problem Significance of Study Scope and Limitation p. 6 p. 8 Materials/Equipment General Procedure p. 9 p. 5

Review of Related Literature Methodology i. ii.

Results and Discussion i. ii. Findings (tabular results) Analysis of Data

Conclusion and Recommendations Works Cited Appendices Appendix A: Glossary Appendix B: Schematic Diagram Appendix C: Pictured Documentation

p. 11 p. 12 p. 13

Introduction Statement of the Problem Nowadays, it is common for households to possess and use aerosol deodorizers to keep their homes smelling fresh and presentable. However certain studies show that aerosol sprays contain CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) that are proven to be harmful to the environment. An environment directly affected by these sprays are homes that grow indoor plants. This study aims to present the possible effect indoor plants receive from the daily use of aerosol sprays. Significance of Study An example of an indoor plant commonly found in households is the Chinese Evergreen (A. commutatum). This plant is said to be one of the easiest houseplants to grow, which is why they are frequently found in houses, offices, and even shopping malls. Their presence indoors allows the home to feel more comfortable and cleaner, though they could be affected negatively by the aerosol sprays used by people every day. Scope and Limitations In this study, the Chinese Evergreen (A. commutatum) is used to discover the effects of aerosol sprays on plants. The study is limited to observing one kind of indoor plant and the usage of only one kind of aerosol sprays: typical deodorizers, without the antibacterial feature. Only physical characteristics of the plants at the end of every week are to be taken note of. For the aerosol deodorizer, its duration of continuous spray was limited to five seconds, which amounts to an estimate of 2 mL of liquid, at a distance of three feet away from the experimental plant.

Review of Related Literature Aerosols An aerosol spray is a type of dispensing system which creates aerosol mist. An aerosol is gas that hangs in the air in the form of miniscule liquid or solid particles. The aerosol spray is used with a can or a bottle, and is an efficient and common way to allocate drugs that need to be inhaled. These are often used for asthma medication and other respiratory diseases. Otherwise, aerosol sprays are regularly used to pack household sprays, such as aerosol deodorizers. Aerosol deodorizers and Propellants More people are now frequently using deodorizers because of how manufacturing companies claim that new technology has enabled them to produce aerosol sprays with no CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) content. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbon) have been known to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and are used as aerosol propellants. Propellants are the compressed gas of the spray that enable the release of the sprays contents from its container and into the air. Most propellants that are used for aerosol sprays are highly-flammable chemical propellants, but there are non-flammable propellants that have been developed and become available recently. The most commonly used propellants are carbon dioxide, propane and butanewhich are a few of the many greenhouse gases that add to global warming. Indoor plants & Chinese Evergreen (A. commutatum) Another commodity most households have is indoor plants. These are plants that are usually easy to take care of, and have a long lifespan even though they are less

exposed to the sun. A common and one of the easiest indoor plants to maintain is the Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commatum) because of its versatility and adaptability. The Chinese evergreen is famous for its ornamental leaves and warming appearance, and doubles as an air purifier because it removes formaldehyde, benzene, and toxins from its surrounding atmosphere. Though it is easy to take care of, it can also be harmful. This plant is poisonous when ingested and can cause skin irritation when the skin comes into contact with the cell sap.

Methodology Materials and equipment used for the experimentation are the following: two Chinese Evergreen (A. commutatum) plants, one can of aerosol deodorizer, one spray bottle, two trays, and one medicine measuring cup. Procedures During the set-up of materials, the proponents took a sample of the liquid quantity the aerosol deodorizer would produce in five seconds of continuous spraying. This was measured using the medicine measuring cup, which was held at an arms length distance from the aerosol can. Two experimentation set-ups were constructed: the first was the controlled that would be sprayed only with water; the second was the plant that would be sprayed with both water and aerosol deodorizer. The two Chinese Evergreen plants were placed indoors in an area where both could receive the similar amounts of sunlight, but distanced enough so that the aerosol spray did not affect the controlled plant directly. They were also placed atop trays so that the water inside the pots would not leak to the floor. Both plants were sprayed five times with water every morning using the spray bottle, and the experimental plant was sprayed with the aerosol deodorizer every evening for five seconds, the can of spray being an approximate three feet away from the plant. Both plants physical characteristics were observed daily for a minimum of three weeks, but only the observations at the end of each week were recorded into a table.

Results and Discussion Findings (Tabular results) For the first set-up, the experimentation procedure was done for five weeks. For the second set-up, it was done for three weeks. At the end of each week, the proponents recorded observations of the plants' physical conditions, being specific on the changes happening with each plant. The recorded observations are stated below: Set-up A Controlled Plant Week 1: November 6 2: November 13 3: November 20 4: November 27 5: December 4 Controlled plant does not change in appearance and it continued to grow week by week. Observations

Experimental plant Week 1: November 6 2: November 13 3: November 20 4: November 27

Observations Leaves appear to look the same as before spraying. 2 leaves closest to the roots have started to wilt on the ends. 2 leaves that have previously started to wilt are about halfway wilted. Another 3 leaves are starting to wilt. 2 leaves that started to wilt on week 2 are half-dead. The leaves in week 3 that started to wilt are still wilting, almost dying. Another 3 are beginning to wilt. 9

5: December 4

2 leaves that started to wilt on week 2 are dead. The leaves that were wilting in week 3 are half-dead. The leaves that started to wilt in week 4 are about halfway wilted.

Set-up B Controlled Plant Week 1: November 20 2: November 27 3: December 4 Observations The appearance of the plant remained the same. The leaves dried up slightly and became yellow in color. Leaves continued to turn yellow and looked unhealthy.

Experimental Plant Week 1: November 20 2: November 27 3: December 4

Observations The plant began to dry and the leaves turned yellow. The leaves withered and became brown in color. Some leaves withered completely and died.

Analysis of Data As seen on the observations, the plants that were sprayed with the aerosol deodorizer became unhealthy and died faster and earlier than the controlled plants. Although Set-up B had a shorter duration for experimentation, the results are quite alike with those of Set-up A. The difference noticed between the two set-ups was the changes on the controlled plant of Set-up B. In the first set-up, the controlled plant did not change throughout the

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weeks, but that in Set-up B turned yellow and dried up. The proponents conclude that this is due to lack of sunlight exposure on the controlled plant of Set-up B. Because the experimental plants withered and died ahead of the controlled plants, it can be said that the chemicals of the aerosol deodorizer indeed have negative effects on the growth and lifespan of the Chinese Evergreen plant (A. commutatum). Conclusion and Recommendations Conclusion The proponents have concluded that aerosol deodorizers are harmful for the growth and maintenance of indoor plants, specifically Chinese Evergreen (A. commutatum). Based on the observations made, the aerosol deodorizer had negative effects on the experimental plant. The experimental plants of Set ups A and B began to wilt and die earlier than the controlled plants, because of exposure to the unhealthy chemicals found in the deodorizer. Though aerosol deodorizers may be helpful for maintaining ones home, it is discouraged for households wherein it may directly affect the plants grown indoors. Recommendations Recommended for the extension of this project are the use of other types of common household aerosol sprays: such as disinfectants, insecticides, and cleaning agents; experimentation on another type of indoor plant; and moving the location of the set-up to an area where the plants are closer to fresh air. These improvements to the experimentation process will broaden the scope of whether aerosol sprays in general directly harm the plants most people keep indoors.

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Works Cited [1] What is an odor eliminator? http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-odoreliminator.htm [2] Aerosols, http://www.scienceclarified.com/A-Al/Aerosols.html [3] Aerosol Spray, http://www.discoveriesinmedicine.com/A-An/Aerosol-Spray.html [4] Plants and Poisons, http://www.midtownanimalclinic.com/poisonous%20plants.htm [5] Aerosol Propellants, http://www.answers.com/topic/aerosol-propellant [6] Chlorinated Solvent, http://www.eurochlor.org/aboutsolvents [7] What are the main dangers of aerosol sprays? http://www.blurtit.com/q397613.html [8] Larry Hodgson, Chinese Evergreen, http://www.howstuffworks.com/chineseevergreen.htm [9] Dr. Alice B. Russel, Poisonous Plants of North Carolina, http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Aglaomo.htm [10] Brenda Hyde, Chinese Evergreen Tips and Care, http://oldfashionedliving.com/aglaonema.html [11] Chinese Evergreen, http://www.plantcare.com/encyclopedia/chinese-evergreen1729.aspx [12] robertfogartys, LED Plant Light - The Answer to Clean and Fresh Air in Your Condominium, http://www.a1articles.com/article_1784465_45.html, 11th October 2010. [13] How Fresh is Air Freshener? http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1664954,00.html, 24 September 2007. [14] Air Fresheners; http://www.silentmenace.com/-Air_Fresheners_.html [15] Chinese Evergreen Houseplant Care, http://www.evergrowing.com/tips/chineseevergreen.htm

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Appendices Appendix A: Glossary Aerosol: a gas that hangs in the air in the form of miniscule liquid or solid particles Aerosol deodorizer: aerosol-type spray that produces a mist of scented liquid to improve home odor Antibacterial: preventing or reducing the growth of bacteria Benzene: a toxic liquid from petroleum that is used for manufacturing dyes, polymers, and other industrial chemicals Chinese Evergreen (A. commutatum): common household plant kept indoors; easy to maintain Chlorofluorocarbons: a gas used in aerosols that contains carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine Formaldehyde: a colorless gas that is used for making fertilizers that can preserve organic specimens when the formaldehyde is dissolved in water Medicine measuring cup: small, translucent measuring cup typically used to measure the volume of liquid medicines Propellants: used to release the contents of the pressurized container into the air Toxin: poison originating from a living organism that is capable of causing disease

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Appendix B: Schematic Diagram

Obtaining the quantity of aerosol content under continuous five-second spray Hold the medicine measuring cup at an arms length distance away from the aerosol spray Press down on the aerosol nozzle for five seconds Measure the amount obtained in the measuring cup.

Preparation of set-ups Obtain two (2) Chinese Evergreens (A. commutatum) Place both plants indoors wherein they can receive the same amount of sunlight, but distanced enough so the controlled does not get affected directly by the aerosol deodorizer Place both plants in pots with trays underneath so the water does not leak to the floor

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Experimentation Process Spray each plant with water five times every morning. Spray the experimental plant with aerosol deodorizer nightly for five seconds. Assure that the spray is approximately three feet away from the plant. Continue experimentation and observation for a minimum of three weeks. Physical characteristics of both plants will be observed, and weekly observations will be recorded into a table.

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Appendix C: Picture Documentation

Set up B: Controlled plant after first week of experimentation

Set up B: Experimental plant after first week of experimentation

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Set up B: Controlled plant after second week of experimentation

Set up B: Experimental plant after second week of experimentation

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Set up B: Controlled plant after third week of experimentation

Set up B: Experimental plant after third week of experimentation

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