formaldehyde

This study has done for setting the criteria for emission from building materials and a methodto test for formaldehyde (HCHO). Emission tests from major building products in acontrolled small chamber were performed with a field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC)to evaluate the features of chemical pollutants from those coverings. HURI (Housing &Urban Research Institute) proposed the test method and the emission criteria for HCHO,which considered many dimensions including test results and the influence on the buildingmaterials market.

In that study, formaldehyde exposures was examined in relation to asthma for young children in western Australia. An association was shown by comparing results of respiratory questionnaire and skin-prick test, and results of formaldehyde, average temperature and relative humidity measurements.

This study investigated the sources and concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde in the air of a new office and conference centre building. The building is naturally ventilated, and was designed to demonstrate a number of innovative approaches to environmental design. Occupant surveys have shown a high level of occupant satisfaction with the indoor environment.

Concentrations of 54 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ventilation rates were measured in four new manufactured houses over 2-9.5 months following installation and in seven new site-built houses 1-2 months after completion. The houses were in four projects located in hot-humid and mixed-humid climates. They were finished and operational, but unoccupied. Ventilation rates ranged from 0.14-0.78 h-1. Several of the sitebuilt houses had ventilation rates below the ASHRAE recommended value.

The objective of this paper was to verify that problem of indoor air pollution is present in primary school in Yugoslavia. Indoor air pollutant levels of sulfur-dioxide, soot, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, and air-microflora was determined in different places of school environment. The average indoor level of sulphur dioxide and soot in primary schools were comparatively high. Determined average levels of carbon monoxide were from 13 .2 - 31. 8 mg/m3, levels of nitrogen dioxide were 20 - 62 μg/m3 and levels of formaldehyde: 0.01 - 0.83 μg/m3.

VOC emissions from building materials are assumed to cause irritation of eye and the upper airways (sensory irritation, SI) in the indoor environment. Four finishing products, two PVC floorings and paints, were selected to this study: PVC(+) and Paint(+) were accepted whereas PVC(-) and Paint(-) were not acceptable in the human sensory evaluation. SI potency of VOC mixtures representing the material emissions were tested by the mouse bioassay (ASTM E981-84 ). Both the paint mixtures were much poorer irritants than PVC(-), but stronger than PVC(+).

Formaldehyde (FA) adsorption, including that in the presence of water vapours, has been evaluated on adsorbents of various nature and porous structure. The efficiency of porous adsorbents (active carbons, silica-gels) with a pore size of 2-200 nm, providing rapid adsorption of low FA concentrations from dry air and a high sorption from the FA water mixture, has been demonstrated. Recommendations on the practical use of adsorbents for indoor purification have been given.

Two series of formaldehyde concentration measurements were conducted on the first storey of a medium size, three-storey, naturally ventilated office building. In this building, due to extensive renovations, a variety of formaldehyde containing materials were used. In the first data set, just after the end of work, values of up to 0.4 ppm were recorded. Higher concentrations were encountered in the internal rooms. In the second data set, nearly one month later, formaldehyde concentrations did not exceed 0.2 ppm.