Determining Domestic Formaldehyde Levels in Ankara, Turkey

This cross-sectional study was carried out in October, 2001, with the aim of measuring formaldehyde levels in 399 homes representative of those in the central districts of Ankara province. Measurements were carried out with a Formaldemeter 400 in the living rooms and kitchens of these homes. The average formaldehyde levels in living rooms and kitchens were 0.064 and 0.060 ppm, respectively. The correlations between formaldehyde levels and type of house, construction materials, and method of ventilation were assessed. Formaldehyde levels were found to be significantly higher in apartments than in detached houses (living room: X2 = 38.7, p < 0.001; kitchen: X2 = 43.2, p < 0.001), significantly higher in reinforced concrete homes than in brick and mortar homes (living room: X2 = 43.1, p