Urban Vegetation Air Quality Information Program This page last
reviewed May 15, 2003 |Urban vegetation plays an important part
in the quality of life. The obvious roles are pleasant
aesthetics, shading, photosynthesis, absorbing gaseous
pollutants, wind speed reduction, and property value
appreciation, while the less obvious ones include
evapotranspiration, intercepting and storing rainfall, absorbing
high frequency noise, and many more. However, not all vegetation
processes the same level of benefits. Some vegetation emits
gases and particles that can adversely impact air quality.
Vegetation chosen carefully and correctly for urban planting can
measurably reduce air quality impacts. The objective of a Urban
Vegetation Air Quality Information Program is to provide
consumers with additional information that air quality is
another factor that should be considered when purchasing
vegetation. Urban vegetation is defined as plants or trees in
parks, yards, public spaces, along streets, in commercial and
residenti