Assessment of Formaldehyde’s Impact on Indoor Environments and Human Health via the Integration of Satellite Tropospheric Total Columns and Outdoor Ground Sensors

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Abstract
Formaldehyde (HCHO) is harmful to human health and an adequate assessment of its concentrations, both in outdoor and indoor environments, is necessary in the effort of risk mitigation. In this research, ground indoor and outdoor HCHO measurements have been integrated with the analysis of tropospheric total columns obtained by satellite surveys to assess the concentrations of HCHO in a number of environments, exploiting the proximity of a World Meteorological Organization – Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO/GAW) observation site in Calabria, Southern Italy to a National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) department in the municipality of Lamezia Terme. Meteorological parameters gathered at the WMO station have also been used to provide additional data and test new correlations. Using statistical significance tests, the study demonstrates the presence of a correlation between indoor and outdoor HCHO concentrations, thus showing that an exchange between indoor and outdoor formaldehyde does occur. Rooms located in the building where indoor measurements took place have also demonstrated degrees of susceptibility to HCHO exposure which are correlated with the orientation of prevailing wind corridors in the area. The new findings constitute an unprecedented characterization of HCHO hazards in Calabria and provide regulators with new tools on how to mitigate formaldehyde-related risks.

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