Influence of Formaldehyde in Room on Behaviors of Medaka

Abstract

The object of this study is to develop a new assessment method for indoor air quality using biosensor system which can evaluate airborne hazards directly because it uses the behavior of organisms as an indicator of air quality. In this study, Medaka, a type of Japanese killifish, was chosen as the biosensor media. Recorded by CCD cameras, the 3D swimming motions of the Medaka in water containing chemical substances are quantified. When exposed to water containing chemical substances, the Medaka shows several types of abnormal behavior. Accordingly, the correlation between the degree of chemical pollution in the water and such behavior by the fish is investigated. Based on this system, the level of chemical substance (i.e. pollution) in the air can be predicted by the movements of the Medaka.