Assessment of indoor and outdoor formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and particulate matter (PM2.5, and PM10) levels in Kalasin, Thailand

Abstract

Background This study sought to determine how much formaldehyde, TVOCs (total volatile organic compounds), and particulate matter (PM2.5, and PM10) were present in the air inside and outdoors at seven distinct locations in Kalasin Province. Methods The stations that were chosen comprised roadways of importance, neighborhoods where people live, shopping centers, motorcycle repair shops, gas stations, industrial zones, and rural areas. A gas detector with four sensors was used to measure formaldehyde, PM2.5, TVOC, temperature, and humidity levels. Particulate samplers were used specifically for measuring PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. The formaldehyde and TVOC sensors were utilized to measure the concentrations of specific air contaminants. Results These stations from important roads, residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, motorcycle repair shops, gas stations, industrial zones, and rural locations had formaldehyde of 0.0207, 0.0239, 0.1892, 0.1893, 0.0273, 0.0262, and 0.0409 mg/m3, respectively. It was discovered that TVOC values ranged from 0.0848 to 0.990 to 0.8466 to 0.1944 to 0.1188 to 0.108 to 0.1708 mg/m3. The measurements for PM 2.5 were 4.7778, 4.2222, 5.0000, 3.4444, 4.7778, 5.7778, and 6.6667 μg/m3 at the roads, residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, motorcycle repair shops, gas stations, industrial zones, and rural locations. The measurements for PM10 were 4.7778, 4.0000, 5.0000, 3.1111, 5.0000, 6.0000, and 8.0000 μg/m3, respectively. According to the research, formaldehyde levels in stores and motorbike maintenance facilities are higher than the Thai Air Standard. The only TVOC concentration that was found to be above the allowable limit was in shopping centers. However, despite the rural area station showing slightly increased levels, all stations met the PM2.5 and PM10 air quality criteria. Conclusions People who breathe polluted air face both short- and long-term health concerns, underscoring the significance of spreading awareness of this problem.