formaldehyde

Discusses the nature of the problem of indoor air pollution, limitations in the authority of established health agencies in the US to control the problem, research needs and some control options. Indoor pollutants of current concern include radon, tobacco smoke, emissions from unvented indoor combustion appliances, aeropathogens, formaldehyde and pesticides.

Particulate and gaseous emissions from indoor combustion appliances.and smoking can elevate the indoor concentrations of various pollutants. Indoor pollutant concentrations resulting from operating one or several combustion appliances, or from sidestream tobacco smoke, were measured in a 27m3 environmental chamber under varying vent ilation rates. The combustion appliances investigated were gas-fired cooking stoves, unvemed kerosene--fi red space heaters, and unvented natural gas-fired space heaters. 

Two bi-level houses in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, of identical design and construction were studied to determine the relationships among air exchange, energy consumption, and indoor pollutants. The experimental house was retrofitted and equip

Summarises the issues discussed at the Indoor Air '84 conference in Stockholm. The main topics include sick buildings, organic compounds, formaldehyde, combustion products, and radon.

An air sampling and analytical system for formaldehyde measurements based on a solid sampler is described. The samplers were tested on a standard atmosphere in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 mg/m3 dry air. 

The quantitative determination of formaldehyde in air using the fluorimetric acetylacetone method is described. Known concentrations of formaldehyde were generated and collected in water using absorbers. The sampling rate was 0.5 l/min, and the sampling volumes varied from 2 to 20 l, depending on theconcentration level. Under these conditions the entire sampling and the analytical method were evaluated over a range of 0.2-1.7 mg formaldehyde per m3 of air.

Gives basic facts about indoor air pollution for homeowners. Lists common indoor air pollutants and guidelines for generally acceptable levels of selected air contaminants. Some suppliers of measurement equipment are mentioned.

This paper discusses the indoor formaldehyde levels in two groups of houses. With the exception of the heating and ventilation systems, the house construction, formaldehyde sources and occupancy were similar for the two groups, One group (A) used electric baseboard convective heaters for space heating and semi-ducted heat recovery ventilators (HRV) for supplying outdoor air and exhausting indoor air , The second group (B) had electric forced-air furnaces with a ducted air supply to every room, Outdoor air was drawn in via a connection to the return air ductwork.

The R-2000 Super Energy-Efficient Home Program is a cooperative industry/government initiative sponsored by Energy, Mines and Resources Canada (EMR) and delivered by the Canadian Home Builders Association. The program supports building industry development, training of builders and the construction of energy-efficient houses incorporating high levels of insulation, a well sealed air barrier and mechanical ventilati on systems with heat recovery. In 1983, with assistance from the Buildings Energy Conservation Sub-Committee (B.E.C.S.

Over a one-year period, measurements were taken of air temperature, air humidity, ventilation rate, concentration of organic gases and vapours, formaldehyde and odour intensity in a small unfurnished bedroom in each of 6 new unoccupied low energy houses. The indoor climate was on average characterized by an air temperature of 24.7 plus or minus 3 degrees C, and an air humidity of 5.9 plus or minus 2.0 g/kg. Ventilation in each room was between 0.79 and 2.92 air changes per hour. On average 14 different compounds were identified in the samples, a total of 23 compounds being identified.