Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study focused on measuring the concentration of formaldehyde in furniture markets, malls, hotels, and restaurants in Guilin, Liuzhou, and Nanning in Guangxi China. Correlations between the indoor formaldehyde concentration and temperature, humidity, and air change rate were also obtained. The sixty sampled public places selected for this study represented the typical public indoor environment in Guangxi. The over standard rates of formaldehyde concentrations (0.1 mg m–3) measured in furniture markets, malls, and hotels were 94%, 87%, and 20%, respectively. The highest formaldehyde concentrations measured in furniture markets, malls, hotels and restaurants were 0.313 mg m–3, 0.231 mg m–3, 0.111 mg m–3, and 0.082 mg m–3. The overall mean formaldehyde concentrations in these four venues were found to be present in this descending order; furniture market (0.193 mg m–3) > mall (0.147 mg m–3) > hotel (0.079 mg m–3) > restaurant (0.058 mg m–3). This work showed that wood-related decorations and merchandises that contain high levels of formaldehyde, were the major sources of formaldehyde pollution in the indoor environment. Further analysis demonstrated that strong correlations (r > 0.80, p < 0.01) existed between the indoor formaldehyde concentration and temperature, humidity, and air change rate, which indicated that these indoor environmental factors appeared to be other key reasons for the high levels of indoor formaldehyde pollution. The results showed that a decrease in temperature and humidity, or an increase in air change rate in an indoor environment can effectively alleviate the level of indoor formaldehyde pollution. The findings of this study can further promote the development of measures to control indoor air pollution.
Highlights
As national economies continue to expand, increasing attention has been given to indoor air pollution
Further analysis demonstrates that strong correlations (r > 0.80, p < 0.01) exist between the indoor formaldehyde concentration and temperature, humidity, and air change rate, which indicate that these environmental factors appear to be additional key reasons for the high levels of indoor formaldehyde pollution
The formaldehyde concentrations tested in restaurants were found to conform to the national standard (Fig. 1(d)), which means that the pollution level in restaurants was not as serious as furniture market and malls
Summary
As national economies continue to expand, increasing attention has been given to indoor air pollution. Formaldehyde released from building material is a long-term chronic process, which causes accumulation of formaldehyde and can cause indoor formaldehyde concentrations to exceed allowable limits (Yang et al, 2001). Long-term inhalation of formaldehyde in the indoor environment has been identified as an important source of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) (Horemans et al, 2010; Nakaoka et al, 2014; Mentese et al, 2015). Formaldehyde is an important indicator of indoor air quality (IAQ) and as such has attracted wide scale public attention (Raw et al, 2004; Liu et al, 2008; Allen et al, 2016). Health impacts due to formaldehyde exposure should be an important consideration and are worthy of study
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