Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde exposure and risk characterization in California early childhood education environments

Abstract

Little information is available about air quality in early childhood education (ECE) facilities. We collected single-day air samples in 2010-2011 from 40 ECE facilities serving children ≤6 years old in California and applied new methods to evaluate cancer risk in young children. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were detected in 100% of samples. The median (max) indoor formaldehyde and acetaldehyde levels (μg/m ) were 17.8 (48.8) and 7.5 (23.3), respectively, and were comparable to other California schools and homes. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde concentrations were inversely associated with air exchange rates (Pearson r = -0.54 and -0.63, respectively; P < 0.001). The buildings and furnishings were generally >5 years old, suggesting other indoor sources. Formaldehyde levels exceeded California 8-h and chronic Reference Exposure Levels (both 9 μg/m ) for non-cancer effects in 87.5% of facilities. Acetaldehyde levels exceeded the U.S. EPA Reference Concentration in 30% of facilities. If reflective of long-term averages, estimated exposures would exceed age-adjusted 'safe harbor levels' based on California's Proposition 65 guidelines (10 lifetime cancer risk). Additional research is needed to identify sources of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde and strategies to reduce indoor air levels. The impact of recent California and proposed U.S. EPA regulations to reduce formaldehyde levels in future construction should be assessed.

Evaluation of Low-Cost Mitigation Measures Implemented to Improve Air Quality in Nursery and Primary Schools

“…In turn, Yang, et al [33] also identified emission from construction and furnishing materials as a possible cause for the increase of CH 2 O concentrations. A recent study carried out by Bradman, et al [58], in 40 early childhood education facilities in California serving children aged 6 years or less, also detected CH 2 O at all sampling sites with values lower (max = 48.8 µg/m 3 ) than those measured in the present study.…”

Re-evaluation of the WHO (2010) formaldehyde indoor air quality guideline for cancer risk assessment

“…In another Californian study, the mean FA concentration was 34 µg/m 3 in homes built with low-emitting materials and 46 µg/m 3 in conventional homes at an air exchange rate of 0.35 h −1 (Hult et al 2015). Furthermore, 40 early childhood education facilities were studied in California; the arithmetic mean FA concentration was 19 µg/m 3 with a range from 0.7 to 49 µg/m 3 (Bradman et al 2016). In houses inhabited by asthmatics in the Boston area, the geometric mean FA concentration was 43 µg/m 3 .…”

Investigation of A Potted Plant (Hedera helix) with Photo-Regulation to Remove Volatile Formaldehyde for Improving Indoor Air Quality

“…Besides, using effective means to reduce indoor air pollution and improve air quality are important issues for building occupants and users in nonventilated places, like hospitals and laboratories (Brown et al, 2015;Lucas et al, 2016;Verriele et al, 2016;Bradman et al, 2017). Indoor air handling systems with HEPA filters control the ambient environmental conditions, including the temperature, humidity, air flow and air cleaning (Russell et al, 2014).…”