Vol.: (0123456789) Water Air Soil Pollut (2025) 236:669 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-025-08315-1 A Review of Biological Methods for Air Pollution Control and Environmental Sustainability Sapana Jadoun  · Hadi Erfani · Sajjad Khodayari · Farid Kalantari · Shima Fatahi · Fariba Gorjizadeh Received: 10 October 2024 / Accepted: 29 June 2025 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025 Abstract Air pollution remains a vital global issue with severe environmental and public health implica- tions. Traditional air pollution control methods, includ- ing physical and chemical approaches, often suffer from high energy demands, operating costs, and the genera- tion of secondary pollutants. As a sustainable alterna- tive, biological methods have gained traction for their effectiveness, lower environmental impact, and operat- ing cost efficiency. This review explores various bio- logical techniques, including bioreactors, biofilters, and plant-based systems, highlighting their mechanisms, advantages, and limitations. The discussion extends to the role of microorganisms, plants, and innovative bio- technological advancements in removing harmful air pollutants. Emphasizing the importance of biological methods in enclosed environments, the review under- scores their potential to efficiently address air pollution challenges, offering hope for a cleaner future. Keywords Air pollution · Bioreactors · Biofilteration · Microorganisms · Sustainable air quality 1 Introduction Air and water pollution are among the most pressing environmental challenges of the modern era, posing severe threats to human health, ecosystems, and the global climate. The situation is particularly critical in Highlights • Bioreactors as sustainable alternatives for air pollution control. • Microorganisms and plants play a vital role in removing air pollutants. • Biological techniques can effectively enhance indoor air quality. • Indoor air pollutants have a significant impact on human health and the environment,. • This highlights the need for effective and sustainable control measures. S. Jadoun (*)  Sol-ARIS, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez, 1775 Arica, Chile e-mail: sjadoun022@gmail.com; sjadoun@academicos. uta.cl H. Erfani (*)  Department of Chemical Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran e-mail: hadierfani1368@gmail.com S. Khodayari  Gachsaran Oil and Gas Production Company, National Iranian South Oil, Gachsaran, Iran e-mail: sajad_Khodayari@yahoo.com F. Kalantari  School of International Education Department, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China e-mail: kalantarifarid1998orginal@gmail.com