Evaluation of hazardous airborne carbonyls on a university campus in southern China

Abstract

A comprehensive assessment of indoor carbonyl compounds for the academic staff, workers, and students was conducted on a university campus in Xiamen, China. A total of 15 representative environment categories, including 12 indoor workplaces and three residential units, were selected. The potential indoor pollution sources were identified based on the variability in the molar compositions and correlation analyses for the target carbonyls. Furnishing materials, cooking emissions, and electronic equipment, such as photocopiers, can generate various carbonyls in the workplace. Comparison studies were conducted in the clerical offices, demonstrating that off-gases from wooden furniture and lacquer coatings, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and the use of cleaning reagents elevated the indoor carbonyl levels. The measured concentrations of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in most locations surpassed the exposure limit levels. The lifetime cancer hazard risk (R) associated with formaldehyde was above the concern risk level (1 × 10⁻⁶) in all of the workplaces. The results indicate that formaldehyde exposure is a valid occupational health and safety concern. Wooden furniture and refurbishing materials can pose serious health threats to occupants. The information in this study could act as a basis for future indoor air quality monitoring in Mainland China.

Implications:

A university campus represents a microscale city environment consisting of all the working, living, and commercial needs of staff and students. The scope of this investigation covers 21 hazardous carbonyl species based on samples collected from 15 categories of workplaces and residential building in a university campus in southern China. Findings of the study provide a comprehensive assessment of indoor air quality with regards to workers’ health and safety. No similar study has been carried out in China.

Funding

This study was in part supported by the projects from the Ministry of Science & Technology (2012BAH31B03 and 2012BAK14B01) and the Hong Kong Premium Services and Research Laboratory (EP-015719-T).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Steven Sai Hang Ho

Steven Sai Hang Ho is a visiting professor at the Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, an affiliate assistant research professor in Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, and a chief executive officer in Hong Kong Premium Services and Research Laboratory.

Ho Sai Simon Ip

Ho Sai Simon Ip is an environmental consultant, Louisa Pan Ting Ng is an analytical manager, and Legolas Baggio Ho is a trainee in Hong Kong Premium Services and Research Laboratory.

Kin Fai Ho

Kin Fai Ho is a faculty member at the Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, and a research assistant professor in the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

W.T. Dai

W.T. Dai is an assistant engineer and Junji Cao is a professor at the Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an.

Chi Sing Chan

Chi Sing Chan is a research associate in the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.