engleski

Comparison of indoor and outdoor concentrations of formaldehyde in high schools in Osijek, Croatia

Aim: School age children spend substantial part of their time indoors in schools. Formaldehyde is reactive gas emitted by a variety of off- gassing sources, such as particle boards, varnishes and paints, and combustion sources including tobacco smoking. It is classified as a human carcinogen and can cause irritation of mucous membranes and aggravation of asthma. Measurements of formaldehyde in classrooms were part of a pilot WHO-coordinated survey to assess exposure to environmental factors in schools. Materials and methods: Eight samples were collected using passive diffusion samplers (Radiello, code 165) in two high schools (6 classrooms and 2 outdoor sites) in Osijek, Croatia during a four-day period in April 2012. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile and analyzed using reverse phase HPLC with UV detection. Results: Concentrations of formaldehyde in classrooms ranged from 5.9 to 11.1 µg/m3 (mean 8.4 µg/m3). Concentrations at outdoor sites sample were 1.3 and 2.3 µg/m3 (mean 1.8 µg/m3). Mean formaldehyde level in classrooms was 4.7 times higher than at outdoor sites. Conclusions: This pilot survey successfully demonstrated the application of a standard WHO methodology. The concentrations of formaldehyde measured in two schools are within the range previously reported in neighboring countries. These exposure levels do not pose immediate risk of acute health effects. A larger survey is necessary in order to characterize formaldehyde concentrations in Croatian schools. Acknowledgement: This survey used the methodology developed by the WHO ECEH / EC Joint Research Centre (JRC) joint working group on indoor air quality surveillance in schools.

pilot survey; indoor air quality; formaldehyde; high schools

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