Formaldehyde exposure in nonoccupational environments

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1981.10667638· OSTI ID:5730984

Dally, K A ^[1]; Hanahan, L P; Woodbury, M A; Kanarek, M S

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1. Wisconsin Division of Health, Madison

Free formaldehyde may be released from wood products and foam insulation where urea-formaldehyde resins have been used. From January, 1978 to November, 1979, 100 structures were investigated by the Wisconsin Division of Health after receiving complaints of health problems from occupants. Air samples were collected in midget impingers and analyzed for formaldehyde content by the chromotropic acid procedure. Health information was obtained from the occupants via questionnaires. Mean formaldehyde concentrations observed ranged from below the limit of detection to 3.68 ppm. Eye irritation, burning eyes, runny nose, dry or sore throat, headache, and cough were the primary symptoms which were reported by the occupants. Statistically significant associations were seen between formaldehyde levels and age of home/building materials. Observations presented suggest nonoccupational, indoor environmental exposure to formaldehyde is significant and may reach levels which exceed occupational exposure standards.

• OSTI ID: 5730984
• Journal Information: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 36:6; ISSN AEHLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AIR SAMPLERS
ALDEHYDES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BUILDINGS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMOTROPIC ACID
COLLOIDS
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
DISPERSIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EQUIPMENT
FOAMS
FORMALDEHYDE
GREAT LAKES REGION
HOUSES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MEMBRANES
MONITORING
MUCOUS MEMBRANES
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SAMPLERS
SULFONIC ACIDS
SYMPTOMS
THERMAL INSULATION
UREA-FORMALDEHYDE FOAMS
USA
WISCONSIN
WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY