[Pollution of indoor air in large-scale kitchens and laundries by volatile halogenated hydrocarbons]

The study demonstrates that the agents used for dishwashing and in the central laundry are already slightly contamined with halogenated hydrocarbons and formaldehyde. Analyses of the washing lyes yield considerably higher concentrations of halogenated hydrocarbons. Especially in the dishwater a relatively high concentration of trichloromethane (chloroform) was detected. Obviously these halogenated hydrocarbons are also present in relatively high concentrations in the air of the corresponding working places. However, the concentrations of individual halogenated hydrocarbons and formaldehyde are clearly below the respective threshold limit values.