Indoor Air Quality Management Using Hydroponic Systems: A Survey Paper

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) significantly impacts human health, with pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contributing to respiratory and other diseases. Traditional methods of improving IAQ, such as air purifiers, can be costly and energy intensive. This paper explores an innovative solution combining hydroponics and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to improve IAQ. Using an ESP32 S3 microcontroller, the system integrates sensors to monitor CO2 levels, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors, while controlling actuators like LED grow lights and nutrient pumps for hydroponic plants known for their air-purifying properties. Real-time data from these sensors allows for adaptive control, ensuring optimal plant growth and pollutant reduction. Initial results show significant reductions in CO2 levels, suggesting that this IoT-integrated hydroponic system is a cost-effective and sustainable method to enhance IAQ. The approach has potential for smart home integration and broader applications in urban air quality management.

Introduction

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major health concern, especially in urban environments. Poor IAQ, caused by pollutants like CO? and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leads to respiratory issues, fatigue, and mental discomfort. While conventional air purifiers help, they have limitations such as recurring maintenance costs and lack of environmental enrichment. This study explores a novel, sustainable solution: integrating hydroponic plant systems with IoT (Internet of Things) for continuous air purification and environmental monitoring.

Key Concepts & Technologies:

• Hydroponics: Soil-less plant cultivation using nutrient-rich water, enabling faster, more controlled growth. Plants like Peace Lily and Areca Palm are known to absorb pollutants such as CO? and VOCs.

• IoT Integration: Sensors (CO?, TDS, temperature, humidity) and actuators (LED grow lights, pumps) are managed by an ESP32 S3 microcontroller, which automates real-time adjustments to ensure optimal conditions for both plant growth and air purification.

Objectives of the Study:

• Develop a cost-effective IoT-based hydroponic system for IAQ enhancement.

• Test effectiveness of different plant species in pollutant absorption.

• Provide scalable and accessible solutions for homes and offices.

Background & Research Gap:

• While plants and hydroponics have proven effective for air purification, few studies explore their integration with IoT for IAQ management.

• Existing IAQ systems focus on passive filtration and lack real-time adaptability.

• The gap lies in creating smart, automated, plant-based purification systems that monitor, adapt, and purify air efficiently in real time.

System Design:

• Sensors:

  • CO? Sensor: Tracks indoor CO? levels for pollutant detection.

  • TDS Sensor: Monitors nutrient levels in water.

  • Temperature/Humidity Sensors: Ensure optimal plant environment.

• Actuators:

  • LED Grow Lights: Controlled lighting for photosynthesis.

  • Peristaltic Pumps: Deliver nutrients based on sensor feedback.

• ESP32 S3 Microcontroller: Central processing hub with Wi-Fi capabilities for remote monitoring and control via a smartphone/web interface.

Key Results & Findings:

• CO? levels reduced by up to 30% in 24 hours, proving the system's effectiveness in IAQ management.

• Plants grew faster and healthier due to optimized, automated care.

• Integration with IoT ensured real-time data analysis and adaptive control, enhancing pollutant absorption and reducing the need for manual intervention.

Challenges Identified:

• Sensor Calibration: CO? and TDS sensors need periodic calibration, posing a maintenance challenge.

• Initial Cost: Setup costs may be a barrier for some users.

• Scalability: Current system is prototype-scale; larger implementations need exploration.

Future Directions:

• Improve sensor accuracy and system affordability.

• Explore integration with smart home ecosystems.

• Expand plant variety and hybrid systems (e.g., hydroponics + UV/activated carbon filters).

• Study long-term IAQ trends and system impact on health outcomes.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of integrating IoT technology with hydroponics to improve indoor air quality. The IoT-enhanced hydroponic system effectively reduces CO? concentrations, enhances plant growth, and promotes air purification in indoor environments. The results highlight the significant advantages of real-time monitoring and automated adjustments, which optimize environmental conditions for both plant health and pollutant absorption. While the system shows great promise, challenges such as sensor calibration, maintenance, and cost remain areas for improvement. The upfront investment required to set up the system may be a limiting factor for some users. However, the long-term benefits, such as improved IAQ and healthier plant growth, offer a compelling case for the adoption of IoT-integrated hydroponic systems. In conclusion, the integration of IoT with hydroponics offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution to address indoor air pollution and improve IAQ. This research encourages further exploration into the scalability of the system for larger spaces and its potential integration with smart home ecosystems. Future work should focus on refining the system’s efficiency, reducing costs, and exploring additional applications in smart cities and sustainable building technologies.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Prof. Atul Karle, Prathamesh Naik, Rushikesh Gawali, Shivraj Deshmukh, Devesh Suroshi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.