Indoor and Outdoor Formaldehyde Concentrations in Underground Environments

실내외 포름안데히드 농도에 관한 조사연구

A pilot study was conducted in order to measure indoor and outdoor formaldehyde levels during August 3 - 22, 1988 in several underground spaces in Seoul. Formaldehyde concentrations were monitored during 1 week in selected sampling areas (subway station, underground shopping center, underpass, tunnel, underground parking lot) using passive formaldehyde monitors. In order to investigate a relationship between respiratory prevalence and levels of formaldehyde, each subject was asked to answer respiratory questions. The mean formaldehyde concentrations were 60.1 ppb in subway station, 122.2 ppb in underground shopping stores, 72.1 ppb in underpasses, 39.7 ppb in tunnel, and 75.9 ppb in underground parking lots, respectively. The mean indoor formaldehyde concentrations in underground environments varied from 28.6 ppb to 118.7 ppb. Generally, the mean formaldehyde concentrations in ticketing office in subway stations appeared higher than those level measured in platform. The mean formaldehyde concentrations of underground shopping center in Gangnam Terminal were higher than any other areas and it exceeded 100 ppb of the American Ambient Air Quality Standards of formaldehyde. Prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms of dwellers seemed to be related to higher indoor formaldehyde levels.