Systematic review of phytoremediation of airborne benzene and toluene
Abstract
Declining Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in confined spaces and with insufficient ventilation poses serious health risks in industrial and office environments. The presence of volatile organic compounds in indoor air can cause human diseases, highlighting the need for effective and sustainable air quality improvement strategies. Phytoremediation offers an efficient, eco-friendly approach for removing contaminants from air, soil, and water, with plant species differing in their absorption capacities. This systematic review, conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, identifies plant species effective in the phytoremediation of airborne benzene and toluene and examines factors influencing their performance. Comprehensive searches of Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ProQuest, MagIran, and Irandoc databases retrieved relevant studies through a three-stage screening process (title, abstract, and full-text review). Findings highlight Hedera helix and Epipremnum aureum as the most frequently used and efficient species for benzene and toluene removal. Moreover, enhancing factors such as increasing plant exposure time to pollutants, repeated injection cycles, and modifications to plant characteristics or substrate can significantly improve phytoremediation efficiency. Comparative analysis of conventional and enhanced methods revealed that enhanced phytoremediation plants improve both the rate and extent of pollutant removal and can serve as cost-effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly strategies for controlling IAQ. Findings also suggest that selecting appropriate plant species and designing combined systems can maximize IAQ improvement and promote human health in industrial and office settings. Overall, phytoremediation, particularly using multiple plant species under optimized environmental conditions, can effectively enhance indoor air quality and guide the design of practical phytoremediation systems.
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3. Dantas G, Gorne I, da Silva CM, Arbilla G. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) concentrations in urban areas impacted by chemical and petrochemical industrial emissions. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2022; 108(2): 204–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03336-y
4. Mushahary R, Nath A, Chutia S, Deka PA. Systematic review on phytoremediation of indoor air pollution. J Air Pollut Health. 2024; 9(2): 255–278. https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v9i2.15928
5. Kumar R, Verma V, Thakur M, Singh G, Bhargava BA. Systematic review on mitigation of common indoor air pollutants using plant-based methods: a phytoremediation approach. J Air Qual Atmos Health. 2023; 16(8): 1501–1527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-023-01326-z
6. Arthur EL, Rice PJ, Anderson TA, Baladi SM, Henderson KL, Coats JR. Phytoremediation-an overview. Crit Rev Plant Sci. 2005; 24(2): 109–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352680590952496
7. Moosavi SG, Seghatoleslami MJ. Phytoremediation: a review. Adv Agric Biol. 2013; 1(1): 5–11.
8. Vasavi A, Usha R, Swamy PM. Phytoremediation–an overview review. J Ind Pollut Control. 2010; 26(1): 83–88.
9. Lee H, Jun Z, Zahra Z. Phytoremediation: the sustainable strategy for improving indoor and outdoor air quality. Environ. 2021; 8(11): 118. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments8110118
10. Montaluisa-Mantilla MS, Gonçalves J, García-Encina PA, Lebrero R, Rico M Muñoz R. Harnessing the potential of Epipremnum aureum (Pothos) for indoor air purification in botanical filters. Build Environ. 2025; 275: 112813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112813
11. Agarwal P, Sarkar M, Chakraborty B, Banerjee T. Phytoremediation of air pollutants: prospects and challenges. Phytomanagement of Polluted Sites. 2019; 221–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813912-7.00007-7
12. Sharma S, Rana S, Thakkar A, Baldi A, Murthy RSR, Sharma RK. Physical, chemical and phytoremediation technique for removal of heavy metals. J Heavy Met Toxic Dis. 2016; 1(2): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.21767/2473-6457.100010
13. Dietz AC, Schnoor JL. Advances in phytoremediation. Environ Health Perspect. 2001;109(1): 163–168. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.01109s1163
14- Mossadeghrad AM, Esfahani P. Methodology of systematic review in the health system. Payesh, 2024; 23(4): 507–527. http://dx.doi.org/10.61186/payesh.23.4.507
15. Malboosbaf R, Azizi F. What is a “Systematic Review” and how is it written? J Res Med Sci. 2010; 34(3): 203–207. [In Persian]
16. Yeganeh Z, Sheikhan Z, Karimian N, Hajian P, Nasiri M, Mirzadeh N. The relationship between pregnancy-related variables and the risk of breast cancer: A systematic review. Iran. J Obstet Gynecol Infertil. 2018; 21(2): 85–97. https://doi.org/10.22038/ijogi.2018.10716
17. Motallaei S. Improving indoor air quality through architectural design. Master’s thesis, University of Tehran, Tehran. 2013. [In Persian]
18. Rajabi A. Determining the relationship between the effects of air pollutants on indoor air quality and providing architectural solutions to improve indoor air quality: A case study of Tehran. Master’s thesis, University of Tehran, Tehran. 2016. [In Persian]
19. Mohammadi M. Design of an office building by examining the effect of height and plants on indoor air quality and energy consumption in high-rise buildings. Master’s thesis, University of Tehran, Tehran. 2013. [In Persian]
20. Rahmatpanah J. Design of green spaces in the interior of high-rise buildings with an environmental approach. Master’s thesis, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran. 2011. [In Persian]
21. Rashidi Monfared M. Design and implementation of a potted plant monitoring system in smart homes. Master’s thesis, University of Qom, Qom. 2018. [In Persian]
22. Nalousi M, Pejman A, Bagheri H. Reducing air pollution in homes and workplaces using ornamental plants. Sci J Flowers Ornam Plants. 2016; 1(1): 45–59. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.26765993.1395.1.1.5.8
23. Alizadeh S, Hashemi M. Phytoremediation for removal of ethylbenzene from contaminated environments. J Environ Health Eng. 2022; 9(3): 399–416. http://dx.doi.org/10.61186/jehe.9.3.399
24. Bandehali S, Miri T, Onyeaka H, Kumar P. Current state of indoor air phytoremediation using potted plants and green walls. J Atmos. 2021;12(4): 473. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12040473
25. Parseh I, Teiri H, Hajizadeh Y, Ebrahimpour K. Phytoremediation of benzene vapors from indoor air by Schefflera arboricola and Spathiphyllum wallisii plants. Atmos Pollut Res. 2018; 9(6): 1083–1087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2018.04.005
26. Gong Y, Zhou T, Wang P, Lin Y, Zheng R, Zhao Y, Xu B. Fundamentals of ornamental plants in removing benzene in indoor air. Atmosphere. 2019; 10(4): 221. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10040221
27. Fooladi M, Moogouei R, Jozi A, Golbabaei F, Tajadod G. Feasibility study of benzene and toluene removal from air using phytoremediation method. Occup Health Saf. 2021; 11(3): 433–444. [In Persian]
28. Gholami Boroujeni F, Nejat Zadeh F, Nourmoradi H. Evaluation of the efficiency of ornamental flowers in reducing volatile organic compounds in indoor environments Iran. J Occup Health. 2016; 13(3): 73–80. [In Persian]
29. Kim KJ, Yoo EH, Kays SJ. Decay kinetics of toluene phytoremediation stimulation. Hort Science. 2012; 47(8): 1195–1198. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.47.8.1195
30. Kim KJ, Khalekuzzaman M, Suh JN, Kim HJ, Shagol C, Kim HH, Kim HJ. Phytoremediation of volatile organic compounds by indoor plants: a review. Hort Environ Biotechnol. 2018; 59(2): 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-018-0032-0
31. Kim KJ, Han S, Yoon J, Jeong N, You SJ, Yoo EH, et al. Removal of indoor odors via phytoremediation: interaction between aromatic hydrocarbon odorants decreases toluene removal. Air Qual. Atmos. Health, 2020; 13(12): 1395–1401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-020-00864-0
32. Kim KJ, Yoo EH, Jeong MI, Song JS, Lee SY, Kays SJ. Changes in the phytoremediation potential of indoor plants with exposure to toluene. Hort Science. 2011; 46(12): 1646–1649. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.46.12.1646
33. Setiawan GD, Thiravetyan P, Treesubsuntorn C. Gaseous toluene phytoremediation by Vigna radiata seedlings under simulated microgravity: Effect of hypocotyl, auxin, and gibberellic acid. Acta Astronaut. 2023; 211: 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2023.06.002
34. Weyens N, Truyens S, Saenen E, Boulet J, Dupae J, Taghavi S, et al. Endophytes and their potential to deal with co-contamination of organic contaminants (toluene) and toxic metals (nickel) during phytoremediation. Int J Phytoremediat. 2011; 13(3): 244–255. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226511003753920
35. Jindachot W, Treesubsuntorn C, Thiravetyan P. Effect of individual/co-culture of native phyllosphere organisms to enhance Dracaena sanderiana for benzene phytoremediation. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2018; 229(3): 80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-018-3735-z
36. Mosaddegh MH, Jafarian A, Ghasemi A, Mosaddegh A. Phytoremediation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene contaminated air by D. deremensis and O. microdasys plants. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2014; 12(1): 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-336X-12-39
37. Fooladi M, Moogouei R, Jozi SA, Golbabaei F, Tajadod G. Phytoremediation of BTEX from indoor air by Hyrcanian plants. Environ Health Eng Manag J. 2019; 6(4): 233–240. https://doi.org/10.15171/EHEM.2019.26
38. Sriprapat W, Thiravetyan P. Phytoremediation of BTEX from indoor air by Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2013; 224(3): 1482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1482-8
39. Orwell RL, Wood RL, Tarran J, Torpy F, Burchett MD. Removal of benzene by the indoor plant/substrate microcosm and implications for air quality. Water, air, and soil pollution. 2004; 157(1): 193-207. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WATE.0000038896.55713.5b
40. Thiravetyan P, Treesubsuntorn C, Sriparat W. Phytoremediation of BTEX by Plants. Springer, Cham; 2015.
2. Cordiano R, Papa V, Cicero N, Spatari G, Allegra A, Gangemi S. Effects of benzene: hematological and hypersensitivity manifestations in residents living in oil refinery areas. Toxics. 2022; 10(11): 678. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10110678
3. Dantas G, Gorne I, da Silva CM, Arbilla G. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) concentrations in urban areas impacted by chemical and petrochemical industrial emissions. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2022; 108(2): 204–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03336-y
4. Mushahary R, Nath A, Chutia S, Deka PA. Systematic review on phytoremediation of indoor air pollution. J Air Pollut Health. 2024; 9(2): 255–278. https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v9i2.15928
5. Kumar R, Verma V, Thakur M, Singh G, Bhargava BA. Systematic review on mitigation of common indoor air pollutants using plant-based methods: a phytoremediation approach. J Air Qual Atmos Health. 2023; 16(8): 1501–1527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-023-01326-z
6. Arthur EL, Rice PJ, Anderson TA, Baladi SM, Henderson KL, Coats JR. Phytoremediation-an overview. Crit Rev Plant Sci. 2005; 24(2): 109–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352680590952496
7. Moosavi SG, Seghatoleslami MJ. Phytoremediation: a review. Adv Agric Biol. 2013; 1(1): 5–11.
8. Vasavi A, Usha R, Swamy PM. Phytoremediation–an overview review. J Ind Pollut Control. 2010; 26(1): 83–88.
9. Lee H, Jun Z, Zahra Z. Phytoremediation: the sustainable strategy for improving indoor and outdoor air quality. Environ. 2021; 8(11): 118. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments8110118
10. Montaluisa-Mantilla MS, Gonçalves J, García-Encina PA, Lebrero R, Rico M Muñoz R. Harnessing the potential of Epipremnum aureum (Pothos) for indoor air purification in botanical filters. Build Environ. 2025; 275: 112813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112813
11. Agarwal P, Sarkar M, Chakraborty B, Banerjee T. Phytoremediation of air pollutants: prospects and challenges. Phytomanagement of Polluted Sites. 2019; 221–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813912-7.00007-7
12. Sharma S, Rana S, Thakkar A, Baldi A, Murthy RSR, Sharma RK. Physical, chemical and phytoremediation technique for removal of heavy metals. J Heavy Met Toxic Dis. 2016; 1(2): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.21767/2473-6457.100010
13. Dietz AC, Schnoor JL. Advances in phytoremediation. Environ Health Perspect. 2001;109(1): 163–168. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.01109s1163
14- Mossadeghrad AM, Esfahani P. Methodology of systematic review in the health system. Payesh, 2024; 23(4): 507–527. http://dx.doi.org/10.61186/payesh.23.4.507
15. Malboosbaf R, Azizi F. What is a “Systematic Review” and how is it written? J Res Med Sci. 2010; 34(3): 203–207. [In Persian]
16. Yeganeh Z, Sheikhan Z, Karimian N, Hajian P, Nasiri M, Mirzadeh N. The relationship between pregnancy-related variables and the risk of breast cancer: A systematic review. Iran. J Obstet Gynecol Infertil. 2018; 21(2): 85–97. https://doi.org/10.22038/ijogi.2018.10716
17. Motallaei S. Improving indoor air quality through architectural design. Master’s thesis, University of Tehran, Tehran. 2013. [In Persian]
18. Rajabi A. Determining the relationship between the effects of air pollutants on indoor air quality and providing architectural solutions to improve indoor air quality: A case study of Tehran. Master’s thesis, University of Tehran, Tehran. 2016. [In Persian]
19. Mohammadi M. Design of an office building by examining the effect of height and plants on indoor air quality and energy consumption in high-rise buildings. Master’s thesis, University of Tehran, Tehran. 2013. [In Persian]
20. Rahmatpanah J. Design of green spaces in the interior of high-rise buildings with an environmental approach. Master’s thesis, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran. 2011. [In Persian]
21. Rashidi Monfared M. Design and implementation of a potted plant monitoring system in smart homes. Master’s thesis, University of Qom, Qom. 2018. [In Persian]
22. Nalousi M, Pejman A, Bagheri H. Reducing air pollution in homes and workplaces using ornamental plants. Sci J Flowers Ornam Plants. 2016; 1(1): 45–59. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.26765993.1395.1.1.5.8
23. Alizadeh S, Hashemi M. Phytoremediation for removal of ethylbenzene from contaminated environments. J Environ Health Eng. 2022; 9(3): 399–416. http://dx.doi.org/10.61186/jehe.9.3.399
24. Bandehali S, Miri T, Onyeaka H, Kumar P. Current state of indoor air phytoremediation using potted plants and green walls. J Atmos. 2021;12(4): 473. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12040473
25. Parseh I, Teiri H, Hajizadeh Y, Ebrahimpour K. Phytoremediation of benzene vapors from indoor air by Schefflera arboricola and Spathiphyllum wallisii plants. Atmos Pollut Res. 2018; 9(6): 1083–1087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2018.04.005
26. Gong Y, Zhou T, Wang P, Lin Y, Zheng R, Zhao Y, Xu B. Fundamentals of ornamental plants in removing benzene in indoor air. Atmosphere. 2019; 10(4): 221. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos10040221
27. Fooladi M, Moogouei R, Jozi A, Golbabaei F, Tajadod G. Feasibility study of benzene and toluene removal from air using phytoremediation method. Occup Health Saf. 2021; 11(3): 433–444. [In Persian]
28. Gholami Boroujeni F, Nejat Zadeh F, Nourmoradi H. Evaluation of the efficiency of ornamental flowers in reducing volatile organic compounds in indoor environments Iran. J Occup Health. 2016; 13(3): 73–80. [In Persian]
29. Kim KJ, Yoo EH, Kays SJ. Decay kinetics of toluene phytoremediation stimulation. Hort Science. 2012; 47(8): 1195–1198. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.47.8.1195
30. Kim KJ, Khalekuzzaman M, Suh JN, Kim HJ, Shagol C, Kim HH, Kim HJ. Phytoremediation of volatile organic compounds by indoor plants: a review. Hort Environ Biotechnol. 2018; 59(2): 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-018-0032-0
31. Kim KJ, Han S, Yoon J, Jeong N, You SJ, Yoo EH, et al. Removal of indoor odors via phytoremediation: interaction between aromatic hydrocarbon odorants decreases toluene removal. Air Qual. Atmos. Health, 2020; 13(12): 1395–1401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-020-00864-0
32. Kim KJ, Yoo EH, Jeong MI, Song JS, Lee SY, Kays SJ. Changes in the phytoremediation potential of indoor plants with exposure to toluene. Hort Science. 2011; 46(12): 1646–1649. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.46.12.1646
33. Setiawan GD, Thiravetyan P, Treesubsuntorn C. Gaseous toluene phytoremediation by Vigna radiata seedlings under simulated microgravity: Effect of hypocotyl, auxin, and gibberellic acid. Acta Astronaut. 2023; 211: 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2023.06.002
34. Weyens N, Truyens S, Saenen E, Boulet J, Dupae J, Taghavi S, et al. Endophytes and their potential to deal with co-contamination of organic contaminants (toluene) and toxic metals (nickel) during phytoremediation. Int J Phytoremediat. 2011; 13(3): 244–255. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226511003753920
35. Jindachot W, Treesubsuntorn C, Thiravetyan P. Effect of individual/co-culture of native phyllosphere organisms to enhance Dracaena sanderiana for benzene phytoremediation. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2018; 229(3): 80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-018-3735-z
36. Mosaddegh MH, Jafarian A, Ghasemi A, Mosaddegh A. Phytoremediation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene contaminated air by D. deremensis and O. microdasys plants. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2014; 12(1): 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-336X-12-39
37. Fooladi M, Moogouei R, Jozi SA, Golbabaei F, Tajadod G. Phytoremediation of BTEX from indoor air by Hyrcanian plants. Environ Health Eng Manag J. 2019; 6(4): 233–240. https://doi.org/10.15171/EHEM.2019.26
38. Sriprapat W, Thiravetyan P. Phytoremediation of BTEX from indoor air by Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2013; 224(3): 1482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1482-8
39. Orwell RL, Wood RL, Tarran J, Torpy F, Burchett MD. Removal of benzene by the indoor plant/substrate microcosm and implications for air quality. Water, air, and soil pollution. 2004; 157(1): 193-207. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WATE.0000038896.55713.5b
40. Thiravetyan P, Treesubsuntorn C, Sriparat W. Phytoremediation of BTEX by Plants. Springer, Cham; 2015.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 11 No 2 (2026): Spring 2026 | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Air pollution; Benzene; Phytoremediation; Systematic review; Toluene | ||
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
How to Cite
1.
Hedayati Marzouni R, Goldoust Y, Aghajanzadeh TA. Systematic review of phytoremediation of airborne benzene and toluene. JAPH. 2026;11(2):271-306.
