2007 Volume 9 Issue 3 Pages 61-73
The concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyl compounds were measured at 40 residences in 3 cities in China (30 in Chengdu and 5 each in Beijing and Changsha). Indoor, outdoor, and personal exposure samples were simultaneously collected at each site. The average concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde, particularly those of benzene and formaldehyde, were significantly higher than those in other countries, both indoors and outdoors. A significant correlation was observed between the indoor concentration of, and personal exposure to VOCs and carbonyl compounds. Indoor/outdoor ratios of many VOCs and carbonyl compounds exceeded 1, indicating the presence of emission sources in the indoor environment. The relationship between indoor air concentrations or personal exposure to VOCs and carbonyl compounds and time elapsed after interior decorating, type of interior decoration, ventilation time, average length of furniture usage, number of pieces of furniture per floor area, interior decorating materials of floors, interior decorating materials of walls, and smoking were studied. It showed that VOCs and carbonyl compounds in Chinese indoor environments were influenced by factors such as time elapsed after interior decorating, type of interior decoration, decorating materials, and average length of furniture usage. The lifetime cancer risk of exposure to benzene or formaldehyde is about 10-4 for each substance. More attention should be paid to the high risk of exposure to VOCs and carbonyl compounds in China.
