Change of heavy metal concentrations in some indoor plants due to smoking

About 90% of the time of modern society is spent indoors, and indoor air is up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Because people spend most of their time indoors, indoor air has a more significant impact on human health than outdoor air. Indoor air pollution is defined as the most important environmental cause of death globally, and it is stated that it causes an estimated 4 million premature deaths each year in the last decade. Therefore, indoor air quality is a critical factor affecting people's health and well-being. Many factors shape indoor air pollution. One of the most important of these factors is smoking. Smoking is a global health problem. The cigarette is also a pollutant that contains various heavy metals. However, there has not been a comprehensive study on heavy metal pollution caused by smoking indoors. This study aimed to determine the heavy metal accumulation due to smoking indoors by using some indoor ornamental plants. Within the scope of the study, leaf samples were collected from individuals of Dieffenbachia anoena, Dracena marginata, Ficus elastica, Spathiphyllum wallisii and Yucca massengana which are frequently used as indoor plants grown in smoking and non-smoking environments. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Co, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Al, Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, and B elements were determined in both washed and unwashed leaves. The change of these elements was evaluated using statistical analysis depending on the plant type, environment, and washing. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Co, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Al, Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, and B elements were determined in both washed and unwashed leaves. The change of these elements was evaluated using statistical analysis depending on the plant type, environment, and washing. As a result of the study, the highest concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni, and Zn in Yucca massengana, Cr, V, and Ba in Dracena marginata; Cu and B in Ficus elastica, Fe, Al, Mn, Na, K, and P in Spathiphyllum wallisii, and Mg in Dieffenbachia anoena were detected. In addition, it was determined that the concentrations of Cd, Cr, V, and Ni in plants were generally higher in smoking environments.