Indoor aldehydes concentration and emission rate of formaldehyde in libraries and private reading rooms

Aldehydes are of particularly interest due to their potential adverse impact on human health. Formaldehyde is one of the most abundant indoor pollutants. To improve indoor air quality, identifying and removing the major emission sources of formaldehyde would be desirable. The purposes of this study were to determine aldehyde concentrations in libraries and reading rooms and to identify emission sources of formaldehyde in private reading rooms. Indoor aldehyde concentrations were quantified at 66 facilities, including public libraries, children's libraries, public reading rooms, and private reading rooms, in the Seoul metropolitan area. Emission fluxes of formaldehyde from the surfaces of desks, chairs, floors, walls, and ceilings in 19 private reading rooms were measured using a passive emission colorimetric sensor. Indoor aldehyde (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propioaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and hexaldehyde) levels were significantly higher than outdoor levels. Indoor formaldehyde geometric mean concentrations in private reading rooms (119.3 μg m−3) were significantly higher than in public libraries (29.2 μg m−3), children's libraries (29.3 μg m−3), and public reading rooms (40.8 μg m−3). Indoor formaldehyde levels were associated with relative humidity. In private reading rooms, the emission rates from desks (255.5 ± 214.8 μg h−1) and walls (231.7 ± 192.3 μg h−1) were significantly higher than that from chairs (79.6 ± 88.5 μg h−1). Desks (31%) and walls (29%) were the major emission sources of formaldehyde in 14 facilities in which measurements exceeded the indoor standard of 100 μg m−3. The age of interior materials was a significant factor for indoor formaldehyde emission flux. Controlling the emission rates of desks and walls is recommended to improve formaldehyde concentrations in private reading rooms.

► Indoor aldehydes levels in libraries are higher than outdoor levels.
► Indoor formaldehyde in private reading room is significantly high.
► Desk is the most significant source of formaldehyde in private reading rooms.
► Desk and building materials should be controlled for formaldehyde.