At Toyota in San Antonio, thousands of employees are exposed to dangerous air that can exacerbate respiratory illnesses, allergies and other health ailments and Toyota was interested in utilizing plants as a potential solution to clean air and protecting employee health and wellness. Typically, one would not think of utilizing tropical plants inside a manufacturing facility in which there are chemical labs, conveyer belts, toxins from paint and plastics. Yet, this is exactly where the science of cleaning the air becomes a critical element in employee wellness. Plants act not only as a filter for toxins, but also as a noise buffer to soften the echoes of machinery so employees can think and speak with fewer noise barriers. Those employing biophilic solutions are experiencing happier employees and fewer instances of sick leave.
