WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
Air sampling and vegetation surveys across five parks showed plant richness and plant volume below 1.5 m associated with higher measured terpenes and terpenoids, while tree number and canopy cover were weaker predictors.
WHY IT MATTERS / OUR READ
Urban designers can look below the canopy and measure the characteristics people encounter at breathing height.
CAVEATS / UNCERTAINTY
Five independent sites; these exploratory associations neither prove human health benefits nor mean all plant emissions improve air quality.
SOURCE
npj Clean Air — Kay et al. (1 Nov 2026)
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