Distribution of Indoor Concentrations and Emission Sources of Formaldehyde in Japanese Residences

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Since the 1990s, tight sealing of buildings to save energy and new types of building materials have caused air pollution problems inside many houses in Japan. Many people are suffering from sick building syndrome (SBS), sick house syndrome (SHS), and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in such houses. Formaldehyde has been reported to be one of the chemical substances responsible for causing SBS, SHS, and MCS symptoms, such as eye irritation, respiratory tract irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and neurotoxicity (Kim et al., 2000; Paustenbach et al., 1997; Shinohara et al., 2004). In addition, formaldehyde was reported to be a human carcinogen (IARC 2006). Formaldehyde has been commonly used in a raw material for synthetic resins such as urea resin, melamine resin, phenolic resin, and synthetic rubber. These resins were used as adhesives in plywood, particle board, and wallpapers in building materials and furniture. The resins react with water to form formaldehyde due to hydrolysis. Formaldehyde has also been used as a bleaching agent and fungicide in wallpaper and curtains. Residual and formed formaldehyde can be emitted from building materials and furniture to the indoor environment of buildings. Indoor concentrations of formaldehyde are higher in summer than in winter. In Japan, concentration levels were reported to be 39.9 ± 33 μg m-3 (Amagai et al., 2000), 34.7 ± 23 μg m-3 (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Public Health, 2002), and 78.9 ± 22 μg m-3 (Shinohara et al., 1999) in summer, while concentrations in winter were 21.7 ± 14 μg m-3 (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Public Health, 2002), 58.6 ± 20 μg m-3 (Shinohara et al., 1999), and 17.6 ± 1.8 μg m-3 (Sakai et al., 2004). The formaldehyde concentrations are higher in new houses than those in older houses. The geometric means (GM) of indoor formaldehyde concentrations in new houses were 64.9 μg m-3 (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, 2002) and 84.2 μg m-3 (Tateno et al., 1999), while those in old houses were 37.7 μg m-3 (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, 2002)