Effect of lacquering on indoor air carbonyl compound quality and human malondialdehyde levels

Abstract

Formaldehyde and other organic compounds are known to provoke allergy including asthma and atopid dermatitis by producing IgE antibody when the aldehyde is combined with various proteins in the body such as albumin. To determine if lacquering could reduce the allergic effects of various environmental pollutants, we measured indoor air quality improvement and examined urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration to provide basic data on the use of lacquering as a means of indoor air quality management. Results showed that formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone and benzaldehyde levels before lacquering were found to be 33.25–194.30, 2.24–47.55, 23.78–146.20, and 0.50–6.34 μg/m3, respectively. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone levels after lacquering were 20.67–166.54, 0.07–23.24, and 9.13–54.90 μg/m3, respectively. Organic compound levels were found to be lower in indoor air after lacquering. The average MDA level in the urine of atopic dermatitis patients was reduced after lacquering compared to levels before lacquering as levels were recorded at 0.009±0.003 μmol/L and 0.014±0.007 μmol/L, respectively. The change of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde levels before and after lacquering was negatively related to the change in MDA level, but the correlation was not statistically significant (p>0.05).