Progression of formaldehyde concentrations in a recently renovated, naturally ventilated building.

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. This time, many high concentration values were detected in the peripheral rooms. Both times, formaldehyde concentration did not exceed 0.1 ppm on the other storeys of the building, where renovation work had been completed 4 months earlier. These results indicate that after renovation (and possibly construction) work in naturally ventilated buildings there is a rather short period in which formaldehyde concentrations descend rapidly. During this period, it is hygienically advisable for the inhabitants not to use the building.