ISSN: 2577-4328
Authors: Abtahi S and Rostami R*
Formaldehyde, commonly recognized as formalin, stands as the archetypal aldehyde, distinguished by its colorless gaseous form and acrid scent. Widespread usage and dissemination of this compound pose potential risks of dermatological and ocular irritation, respiratory ailments, genetic alterations, and carcinogenesis. This study aims to explore the concentrations of formaldehyde in both indoor and outdoor environments. The search strategy involved querying English-language articles in Google Scholar and Science Direct databases, specifically selecting those detailing formaldehyde concentrations. Ultimately, 16 articles meeting the criteria were included in the study. Results reveal that outdoor formaldehyde mean concentration reached up to 17.02 ± 11.46 ppm, while indoor level was 0.528 ± 0.527 ppm. Industrial settings exhibited the highest concentrations, with a mean of 10.73 ± 4.5 ppm. The study exposes higher formaldehyde levels in Asian countries (0.0522 ± 0.075 ppm) compared to European and North American counterparts. Additionally, concentrations displayed a tendency to rise during the summer (3.57 ± 5.03 ppm) in contrast to the winter season (3.08 ± 5.03 ppm). These findings underscore the need for heightened awareness and regulatory measures to mitigate formaldehyde exposure, especially in industrial contexts and regions with elevated concentrations.
Keywords: Formalin; Air Pollution; Air Quality; VOC; Chemical Pollutants
