| Abstrakt: |
This 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 percentages of measured formaldehyde concentrations exceeding the standard (0.1 mg m−3) in furniture markets, malls, and hotels were 94%, 87%, and 20%, respectively. The highest 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 can be ordered as follows: 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 shows that wood-related decorations and merchandise that contain high levels of formaldehyde are the major sources of formaldehyde pollution in indoor environments. 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 results show that a decrease in temperature and humidity or an increase in air change can effectively alleviate the level of indoor formaldehyde pollution. The findings of this study further promote the development of measures to control indoor air pollution. |
