Reports 100 measurements of formaldehyde content of the indoor atmospheres of 25 rooms in 23 dwellings, mainly in new or recent one-family houses with varying quantities of particle board. The formaldehyde content in the indoor atmosphere averaged 0.63 mg per cubic metre of air with a range from 0.08 to 2.24. concentrations in two rooms were higher than permitted uppervalues for workshops (1.2), in 17 rooms the values were higher than a calculated value for long-term exposure (0.4) and in eight rooms the values were lower than this.
Chipboard is a common building construction material which continuously emanates formaldehyde. Reports measurements of concentrations of formaldehyde in 24 rooms in 23 Danish dwellings where chipboard was used for walls, floors and ceilings. Gives results in table 1 of concentrations underdifferent combinations of temperature, humidity and ventilation rate. Finds average concentration of 0.62 mg/m3 and in some rooms concentration exceeded the German threshold limit for occupational exposure. Develops mathematical model for the room air concentration of formaldehyde.
Reports study of the ways in which different ventilation levels affect people part 1 of the study took place in Gavle. Air change rates, the amounts of radon and its derivatives were measured. Finds that ventilation installations are often poorly adjusted giving a wide variation between flats in the levels of air change. Amounts of radon and daughters were also higher than expected, due mainly to the poor ventilation. Concludes that lowering ventilation to present recommended level of 0.5 changesper hour cannot be recommended without further investigation.
Notes that reduced infiltration and ventilation rates in buildings can lead to higher levels of indoor air pollution. Discusses three indoor-generated pollutants : nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and radon. Suggest ways of circumventing increased health risks without compromising energy conservation considerations, including setting standards for minimum levels, filtering recirculated air and sealing source material.
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