The daily and seasonal variability in residential concentrations of aldehydes in two Canadian cities (original) (raw)

Indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein were measured in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Edmonton, Alberta. Seven consecutive 24-hr measurements were made in 50 non-smoking homes in winter and summer in each city. In addition, data on relative humidity, temperature, air exchange rates, housing characteristics and occupants' activities were collected. Determinants of indoor levels for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were examined using linear mixed-effects regression models. The housing characteristics and occupants' activities investigated in this study explained between 26% and 50% of the variability in pollutant concentrations, with air exchange rates, year of construction, indoor temperature and indoor relative humidity being important predictors for both formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.