[Evaluation of total exposure to benzene and formaldehyde in the European countries]

Benzene and formaldehyde are among the principal components in the air of various indoor occupational and non-occupational environments. Both compounds are toxicologically relevant for humans as recognized carcinogens. In order to evaluate the total exposure and to assess the possible health risk caused by benzene and formaldehyde for different population groups at European level, the JRC Institute for Health and Consumer Protection in Ispra launched the AIRMEX (IndoorAir Monitoring and ExposureAssessment Study) project in October 2003. It aims at identifying and quantifying the main indoor pollutants particularly in kindergartens, schools and public buildings. It also intends to evaluate the overall exposure of people working and occupying these areas. Measuring campaigns were carried out in pre-selected indoor environments in various European cities (Catania, Athens, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Brussels, Thessaloniki). Preliminary results clearly indicate that indoor air concentrations for volatile compounds (VOC) including benzene are higher than/or similar to those found outdoors, ranging from a few micrograms (about 8 microg/m3) to 281 microg/m3. Outdoor concentrations vary from 7 to 153 microg/m3. Personal exposure concentrations are generally higher than the indoor/outdoor concentrations. In most cases they are twice as high as indoor concentrations (or even higher) and significantly higher than outdoor concentrations. Air concentrations of aldehydes inside buildings/kindergartens were up to 7-8 times higher than outside. This mostly concerns formaldehyde, and it seems that strong indoor sources exist which clearly determine the indoor air concentrations. Formaldehyde concentrations in public buildings and offices vary from 3 to 30 microg/m3, and those in kindergartens vary from 6 to 11 microg/m3 (Arnhem/Nijmegen). The highest values for formaldehyde, up to 29,9 microg/m3, were found in Catania, Athens and Thessaloniki.