Residential building materials: An important source of ambient formaldehyde in mainland China

Shaodan Huang, Shaojie Song, Chris P. Nielsen, Yuqiang Zhang, Jianyin Xiong, Louise B. Weschler, Shaodong Xie, Jing Li*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigates the contribution of formaldehyde from residential building materials to ambient air in mainland China. Based on 265 indoor field tests in 9 provinces, we estimate that indoor residential sources are responsible for 6.66% of the total anthropogenic formaldehyde in China's ambient air (range for 31 provinces: 1.88–18.79%). Residential building materials rank 6th among 81 anthropogenic sources (range: 2nd–10th for 31 provinces). Emission intensities show large spatial variability between and within regions due to different residential densities, emission characteristics of building materials, and indoor thermal conditions. Our findings indicate that formaldehyde from the indoor environment is a significant source of ambient formaldehyde, especially in urban areas. This study will help to more accurately evaluate exposure to ambient formaldehyde and its related pollutants, and will assist in formulating policies to protect air quality and public health.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106909
JournalEnvironment International
Volume158
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Keywords

  • Ambient
  • Building materials
  • Emission
  • Formaldehyde
  • Indoor

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Residential building materials: An important source of ambient formaldehyde in mainland China'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this