New research by Ohio State University suggests that adding plants and trees to the landscapes near factories and other pollution sources could reduce air pollution by an average of 27%.  In addition, the study indicates that, in many cases, plants may be a cheaper option for cleaning the air than more technological approaches.

The study looked at public data on air pollution and vegetation on a

county-by-county basis across the lower 48 states. It then calculated what

adding additional trees and plants might cost. 

The calculations included the capacity of current vegetation to mitigate

air pollution as well as the effects that restorative planting might have on

pollution levels.

In 75% of the counties analyzed, it was cheaper to use plants to

mitigate air pollution rather than add technological interventions such as

smokestack scrubbers to the sources of pollution.  The results varied according to the pollution

source.  For example, technology is

cheaper at cleaning the air near industrial boilers than ecosystem

approaches.  For the broad manufacturing

industry, one approach or the other was favorable, depending on the type of

factory.

Adding trees or other plants generally can lower air pollution levels

in both urban and rural areas, although success rates depend on a variety of

factors including how much land is available to grow new plants and current air

quality.

Reducing air pollution is critical to public health.  An estimated 4 in 10 people in the U.S. live

in areas with poor air quality, leading to health issues including asthma, lung

cancer, and heart disease.  The study

shows that nature should be part of the planning process for industry to deal

with air pollution.

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Nature might be better than tech at reducing air pollution

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.