居室装修后空气中甲醛、三苯释放规律及防治对策

对装修后居室中的甲醛、三苯释放浓度进行了监测分析,找出了甲醛、三苯的释放规律,提出装修后的居室应注意通风,保持空气流畅,停留一段时间再入住等对策,以避免室内甲醛、三苯释放,危害人体健康。     

盐酸付玫瑰苯胺分光光度法测定大气中甲醛

本文选用亚硫酸氢钠等混合液作吸收液采集大气中的甲醛,再用盐酸副玫瑰苯胺分光光度法测定甲醛含量.确定了测定最佳条件,使方法具有灵敏度高、抗干扰能力强、采集样品稳定等特点.方法检出限0.32μg/5ml,可测定甲醛浓度范围0.01～0.30mg/m~3.适用于大气外环境和居室内微环境空气中甲醛含量的测量.     

室内空气污染调查

为了解室内空气污染状况，广州市环境监测中心站对刚装修不久的10套私人居室和5家单位办公室的室内空气进行了监测。结果表明，甲醛、苯、NH3、NOx浓度超标，最高超标倍数分别为：甲醛22.0倍，苯3.01倍，NH3 2.58倍，NOx0.30倍。指出，这些污染物主要来源于装修材料和建筑材料，会对人体健康造成危害。提出，为防止室内空气污染，应从源头抓起，装修时尽量选用低毒或无毒的材料，装修后的居室或办公室要保持通风，以降低室内污染物浓度，进驻前请有关权威部门进行监测评估。另外可在室内摆放绿色植物，以吸附一些有毒化合物。     

通风速率及源项特性对室内甲醛扩散规律的影响

采用Airpak软件模拟研究在通风速率、源项强度和源项面积多因素作用下的室内甲醛扩散规律。结果表明,在室内甲醛初始为零时,源项散发甲醛后,在2000 s内室内甲醛浓度升高较快,之后处于平衡状态。在通风速率加倍时甲醛最高浓度降低56%,源项强度减半时甲醛最高浓度降低16%,源项散发面积减少37%时甲醛最高浓度降低24%。说明通风速率对室内甲醛浓度的影响最大,其次依次为源项散发面积和源项强度。     

绍兴市新装修住房空气质量调查与分析

为了解室内装修对室内空气质量的影响,文章随机抽取浙江省绍兴市60户新装修居室进行室内空气主要污染物监测,结果表明,以甲醛和总挥发性有机物(TVOC)超标最为严重,超标率分别为32.2%和65.6%。不同功能房间中,卧室、书房甲醛和总挥发性有机物浓度明显高于客厅。另外,总挥发性有机物与装修后时间长短有很大关系,装修后3个月时,超标率为98.3%,6个月超标率为75.0%,12个月超标率降低到23.3%。     

乌鲁木齐市居民住宅室内空气中甲醛污染现状分析

乌鲁木齐市86户居民住宅352个室内空气样本甲醛检测结果表明:有199个样本超标,超标率为56.5%。甲醛浓度平均值为0.126 mg/m3,甲醛污染指数分布在0.32~3.73。甲醛浓度随居住时间延长总体呈下降趋势。室内甲醛污染最严重的时段在装修完后居住1 a以内非供暖期的5—8月。住宅不同功能区甲醛浓度的高低顺序为:厨房书房次卧主卧客厅。     

空气温度对甲醛释放影响浅析

1 实验 文献[1]表明,房屋装修1年后,室内甲醛质量浓度仍在国家规定标准值左右,质量浓度由最初的2.40 mg/m3递减至1年后的0.087 mg/m3.在对新装修的办公室、居民住宅和公共场所的室内空气污染物调查时,发现甲醛超标率＞70%[2].     

贵阳市民居室内外空气污染物分布及来源研究

对贵阳市部分家庭室内外空气污染物进行了监测,并对其来源进行了分析.结果表明,除了CO浓度未超标外,SO2、NO2、PM10、CO2、甲醛和氨均出现不同程度的超标,超标率在0.5%～38%,最大超标倍数1.1～2.7,其中PM10的超标率和甲醛的超标倍数最明显.室内空气污染物中,PM10、CO、CO2和甲醛主要来自室内源的贡献,SO2则受室外源的影响大.污染物在室内不同房间之间具有较高的相关关系.     

室内装修后苯、甲苯、二甲苯和甲醛污染调查

对青岛市装修后房屋空气进行调查,按照装修时间分装修时间1周～6个月、7个月～1年、1年以上三个组,对三组室内空气中苯、甲苯、二甲苯和甲醛进行监测,发现室内装修时间短时苯、甲苯、二甲苯的浓度较高,甲醛浓度较低;随装修时间增长,苯、甲苯、二甲苯的浓度很快降低,但甲醛的浓度呈升高趋势。     

广州宾馆歌舞厅室内室外羰基化合物的研究

采用美国EPA的方法,对广州市区宾馆内歌舞厅室内室外的羰基化合物进行了检测.21种目标化合物共检测出19种.室外羰基化合物中甲醛含量最高,乙醛次之;而室内则相反.在有人活动的情况下,乙醛的含量大于甲醛,这可能是客人抽烟、饮酒等造成的.     

Indoor and outdoor formaldehyde concentrations in homes in residential areas in Greater Cairo

Indoor and outdoor measurements of formaldehyde were conducted at seven flats located in residential areas in Greater Cairo, during spring and summer seasons 1999. The mean daytime formaldehyde concentrations in kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms were 89, 100 and 100 ppb, respectively, in the seven flats. Significant positive correlations were found between the concentrations of formaldehyde found in these three rooms. On the other hand, no significant differences were found between the mean formaldehyde concentrations in these three rooms. The maximum mean concentration of formaldehyde (147 ppb) was recorded in a new flat, while the minimum concentration (43 ppb) was observed in an old flat. The maximum hourly and daytime concentrations were 350 and 225 ppb, respectively. Air temperature, relative humidity and the age of the flat are factors affecting the emission and concentration of formaldehyde. The maximum indoor and outdoor formaldehyde concentrations were recorded during the summer season. During the spring, 38% of the samples indicated that the concentration of formaldehyde in the seven flats exceeded 0.1 ppm, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers' (ASHRAE) standard; in the summer, this figure increased to 53%.     

室内人造板材制品释放挥发性有机化合物研究

通过对浸渍纸层压木质地板、实木地板、实木复合地板、竹地板、胶合板、细木工板6种共39个人造板材中的挥发性有机物进行定性研究,确定了家用人造板材制品释放的主要挥发性有机物种类,以及人造板材制品中芳香族化合物的主要来源.通过对5间购入新家具的室内环境空气中甲醛、苯、甲苯和总挥发性有机化合物(TVOC)的定量分析,确定了人造板材制品释放挥发性有机化合物的污染水平.研究表明,人造板材释放的挥发性有机化合物以烯烃、芳香族、酯类化合物为主,其中芳香族化合物主要来源于胶合板和细木工板,室内人造板材制品的使用可以使室内环境空气中挥发性有机化合物的质量浓度显著提高.     

Increased levels of bacterial markers and CO2 in occupied school rooms

Our group previously demonstrated that carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in heavily occupied schools correlate with the levels of airborne bacterial markers. Since CO2 is derived from the room occupants, it was hypothesized that in schools, bacterial markers may be primarily increased in indoor air because of the presence of children; directly from skin microflora or indirectly, by stirring up dust from carpets and other sources. The purpose of this project was to test the hypothesis. Muramic acid (Mur) is found in almost all bacteria whereas 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs) are found only in Gram-negative bacteria. Thus Mur and 3-OH FA serve as markers to assess bacterial levels in indoor air (pmol m(-3)). In our previous school studies, airborne dust was collected only from occupied rooms. However, in the present study, additional dust samples were collected from the same rooms each weekend when unoccupied. Samples were also collected from outside air. The levels of dust, Mur and C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0 3-OH FAs were each much higher (range 5-50 fold) in occupied rooms than in unoccupied school rooms. Levels in outdoor air were much lower than that of indoor air from occupied classrooms and higher than the levels in the same rooms when unoccupied. The mean CO2 concentrations were around 420 parts per million (ppm) in unoccupied rooms and outside air; and they ranged from 1017 to 1736 ppm in occupied rooms, regularly exceeding 800-1000 ppm, which are the maximum levels indicative of adequate indoor ventilation. This indicates that the children were responsible for the increased levels of bacterial markers. However, the concentration of Mur in dust was also 6 fold higher in occupied rooms (115.5 versus 18.2 pmole mg(-1)). This further suggests that airborne dust present in occupied and unoccupied rooms is quite distinct. In conclusion in unoccupied rooms, the dust was of environmental origin but the children were the primary source in occupied rooms.     

Indoor air pollution by 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in non-domestic buildings in Nagoya, Japan

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol is a possibly causative chemical in sick building symptoms, although 2-ethyl-1-hexanol has received little attention as a hazardous substance in studies on indoor air pollution. Airborne 2-ethyl-1-hexanol concentrations were measured from 2002 to 2004 in 99 rooms of 42 non-domestic buildings in Nagoya, Japan. The diffusive sampling method is effective for the measurement of a low level of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in indoor air. The geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol concentrations was 16.5 (5.4) microg m(-3) in indoor air and 1.9 (2.2) microg m(-3) in outdoor air. The maximum concentration of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in indoor air and outdoor air was 2709 microg m(-3) and 12.4 microg m(-3), respectively. Fewer rooms in a small number of new buildings showed high concentrations of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, while low concentrations were observed in many rooms of these buildings as well as the other new buildings. The room-to-room concentrations of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in each building exhibited a wide variation. The geometric mean of the 2-ethyl-1-hexanol concentrations was significantly higher for indoor air than for outdoor air (p < 0.01). The correlation of the 2-ethyl-1-hexanol concentrations between indoor and outdoor air was not significant. Mechanical ventilation was effective in the temporary reduction of indoor 2-ethyl-1-hexanol level. These results suggest that the predominant source of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol was indoor areas.     

Levels, sources, and health risks of carbonyls in residential indoor air in Hangzhou, China

Concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, propionaldehyde, i-pentanal, and butyraldehyde in residential indoor air in Hangzhou were determined. The mean concentration of the total carbonyl compounds in summer was 222.6 μg/m³, higher than that in winter (68.5 μg/m³). The concentration of a specific carbonyl in indoor air was higher than the outdoor air measurement, indicating the release of carbonyls from the indoor sources. Formaldehyde and acetone were the most abundant carbonyls detected in summer and winter, respectively. Multiple regression analysis indicated that carbonyl concentrations in residential indoor air depended on the age of decoration and furniture, as well as their concentrations in outdoor air. In addition, a primary estimation showed that the health risks of carbonyls in summer were higher than those in winter.     

Pentachlorophenol in indoor environments. Does a single measurement of air and dust concentrations represent the contamination?

In order to be able to make a decision, as to whether a room or building has a health-endangering pentachlorophenol (PCP) concentration, usually the PCP concentrations in air and settled dust are measured. The variability of the PCP concentration in indoor air and dust was studied. Air and dust samples were taken from 75 rooms in 30 buildings with suspicion of application of PCP-containing wood preservatives. Sampling was repeated four times within 18 months. Thirty-six rooms were reconstructed within the study; 39 rooms had unchanged contamination status during the study. The four times repeated measurements of PCP concentrations in air and dust in these rooms showed large variations of the measured values. The variability of the results is to a large extent in the same range as the measured values. The observed relative standard deviation of the PCP concentrations in air and dust does not depend on the average PCP concentration detected in the individual rooms.     

The impact of domestic wood burning on personal, indoor and outdoor levels of 1,3-butadiene, benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde

The aim of this study was to quantify personal exposure and indoor levels of the suspected or known carcinogenic compounds 1,3-butadiene, benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in a small Swedish town where wood burning for space heating is common. Subjects (wood burners, n = 14), living in homes with daily use of wood-burning appliances were compared with referents (n = 10) living in the same residential area. Personal exposure and stationary measurements indoors and at an ambient site were performed with diffusive samplers for 24 h. In addition, 7 day measurements of 1,3-butadiene and benzene were performed inside and outside the homes. Wood burners had significantly higher median personal exposure to 1,3-butadiene (0.18 microg m(-3)) compared with referents (0.12 microg m(-3)), which was also reflected in the indoor levels. Significantly higher indoor levels of benzene were found in the wood-burning homes (3.0 microg m(-3)) compared with the reference homes (1.5 microg m(-3)). With regard to aldehydes, median levels obtained from personal and indoor measurements were similar although the four most extreme acetaldehyde levels were all found in wood burners. High correlations were found between personal and indoor levels for all substances (r(s) > 0.8). In a linear regression model, type of wood-burning appliance, burning time and number of wood replenishments were significant factors for indoor levels of 1,3-butadiene. Domestic wood burning seems to increase personal exposure to 1,3-butadiene as well as indoor levels of 1,3-butadiene and benzene and possibly also acetaldehyde. The cancer risk from these compounds at exposure to wood smoke is, however, estimated to be low in developed countries.     

Characteristics of dwellings contaminated by moulds

Dwellings showing a presence of moulds are considered to be unhealthy both by the inhabitants and by sanitary authorities. Although the thresholds of pathogenicity have not yet been established, the toxic, allergic and infectious risk of indoor moulds is better understood today. A study on indoor fungi contamination for 128 dwellings was done between October and May in France. It concerned 69 dwellings, the occupants of which either complained to the sanitary authorities about problems of moulds and humidity or consulted a doctor who related their symptoms to housing conditions. Fifty-nine other dwellings, the occupants of which were healthy, constituted the control group. We present the statistical analysis of questionnaires, which aimed to clarify characteristics of dwellings associated with high concentrations of airborne moulds. Air samples were taken with an impactor in 500 rooms. On visiting dwellings, investigators obtained answers to 25 questions concerning characteristics of inhabitants and living space, as well as the presence of mould indicators. Indoor and outdoor temperature and indoor relative humidity of air measurements were taken. The total concentration of fungi in the air was significantly higher in ground floor apartments versus those on other floors (p = 0.047), in small and highly occupied dwellings (p = 0.03 and 0.003), in dwellings with electric heating (p = 0.04), without a ventilation system (p = 0.003), with water damage (p = 0.003), and finally, in those where the investigator noted an odour of moisture or visible moulds (p < 0.001). The efficacy of the latter criteria in the evaluation of insalubrity is discussed.     

Indoor air in schools and lung function of Austrian school children

The Children's Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) of WHO focuses (inter alia) on improving indoor environments where children spend most of their time. At present, only little is known about air pollution in schools and its effect on the lung function of school children. Our project was set up as an Austrian contribution to CEHAPE. In a cross-sectional approach, differences in indoor pollution in nine elementary all-day schools were assessed and 34 of these pollutants were analyzed for a relationship with respiratory health determined by spirometry using a linear regression model. Overall 596 children (aged 6-10 years) were eligible for the study. Spirometry was performed in 433 children. Socio-economic status, area of living (urban/rural), and smoking at home were included in the model as potential confounders with school-related average concentration of air pollutants as the variable of primary interest. A negative association with flow volumes (MEF(75)) was found for formaldehyde in air samples, benzylbutylphthalate and the sum of polybrominated diphenylethers in school dust. FVC and FEV(1) were negatively associated with ethylbenzene and xylenes in air samples and tris(1,3-dichlor-2-propyl)-phosphate on particulates. Although, in general, the quality of school indoor air was not worse than that reported for homes, effects on the respiratory health of children cannot be excluded. A multi-faceted strategy to improve the school environment is needed.