Abstract for presentation at 14th IUAPPA World Congress

A number of studies conducted in selected Australian regions, and overseas, indicate that concentrations of formaldehyde in a variety of indoor settings may be high enough to adversely affect human health. Formaldehyde is known to cause a range of health effects including respiratory irritation, asthma, wheezing, and is a known human carcinogen.
The development of effective management strategies for formaldehyde in indoor environments, however, has been hampered by a lack of knowledge on indoor concentrations of formaldehyde and the major sources of indoor formaldehyde emissions. To address this the Department of Environment and Water Resources, in consultation with the woodpanels industry, commissioned VIPAC Engineers & Scientists in conjunction with Queensland Health to conduct a national study of formaldehyde concentrations found in potentially high-risk indoor environments during both winter and summer. These included caravans, mobile homes, houses, apartments and offices, where pressed wood furnishings (containing formaldehyde-based adhesives) are used extensively.
The first phase of the sampling for formaldehyde has found that no concentrations in Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth were over the World Health Organisation 30 minute sensory irritation guideline except when caravans were not ventilated for a considerable period of time. However, even a very modest amount of ventilation such as opening roof vents brought the concentrations below the guideline within 10 minutes. Further data are required in a summer period to confirm these findings or otherwise and also to add to the data available to investigate correlations.
Keywords: Formaldehyde, Indoor Air Quality.