Air Pollutants in Newly Decorated Rooms During 2009—2013 in Wuxi City

Objectives To understand the main air pollutants in newly decorated rooms in Wuxi city, in order to provide basis for the prevention and control of indoor air pollution in newly decorated residential rooms.Methods The concentration of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene and TVOC in 84 newly decorated rooms were examined in a period of 3 months after decoration, and the results were analyzed statistically.Results The average concentrations of TVOC in 2009—2013 were higher than those of the national standard limits, and the average concentrations of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene in 2010—2013 were qualified. There were a decreasing trends of unqualified rate for formaldehyde and toluene year by year; the analysis of variance showed a significant difference in these 5 years (P for formaldehyde=0.004;P for toluene=0.024). The concentrations of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene in June-August were significantly higher, the concentration of TVOC was high throughout the year. The concentration of formaldehyde in 2009—2013 showed significance level of difference.(F=16.326, P<0.01). The concentration of formaldehyde was significantly correlated with temperature by linear regression analysis (P<0.01).Conclusions The exceeding standard limit rate for air pollutants in new decorated rooms was decreased in 2009—2013 year by year in Wuxi. The relationship between TVOC with seasonal change and the air temperature was not significant. There was a significant effect of temperature on the release of formaldehyde.The results suggested that the pollution in newly decorated indoor air should be primarily concerned, and the concentrations of TVOC and formaldehyde were affected with temperature.The way of formaldehyde release from decoration materials during winter could be improved by increasing the indoor temperature to promote the emission as soon as possible.