Activity and stability of TiO2 samples with different phase compositions in the decomposition of formaldehyde in SCW

TiO₂ samples with different crystal sizes and compositions were synthesized using a sol-gel method at different calcination temperatures (350–900 °C). The activity and stability of TiO₂ samples were determined by the gasification of formaldehyde in supercritical water (SCW) and by treatment in SCW. Increasing calcination temperature and SCW gasification (SCWG)/SCW treatment decreased the surface area of anatase TiO₂ samples due to growing crystallite size via agglomeration and sintering. Among anatase TiO₂ samples, the TiO₂ calcinated at 450 °C was found as the most suitable material under SCW conditions. However, the surface area of rutile TiO₂ slightly increased from 17.2 m² g^?1 to 19.8 m² g^?1 with the weakly crumbling of particles during SCWG. The highest hydrogen formation (63%) from formaldehyde in the SCW was obtained in the presence of anatase TiO₂ calcined at 350 °C and rutile TiO₂ calcined at 800 °C. CO₂ formation in the presence of anatase TiO₂ is higher than rutile TiO₂ because of the presence of active lattice oxygen species (O^?, O^2?) based on O₂-TPD.     

Effect of aldehydes on thermomechanical properties of gluten-based bioplastics

Protein–protein crosslinks play an important role in the design of biodegradable polymeric materials requiring suitable rheological and mechanical properties. The addition of aldehydes to the bioplastic formulation may result in their involvement in some form of protein cross-linking. The objective of this contribution is to evaluate the effect of adding some aldehydes (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and glyoxal) on the thermomechanical properties of gluten-based biodegradable polymeric materials processed by a mixing stage followed by compression moulding at 9 MPa and 130 °C. Different bioplastic probes were evaluated by means of DMA measurements, recording the elastic and loss moduli as a function of temperature and uniaxial tensile strength tests. Water absorption capacity and solubility under different extraction media of bioplastic specimens, were also evaluated. Solubility measurements were carried out in order to analyse the effect of the aldehyde on the nature of the interactions taking place in the system, being compared to those performed on blends previous to the moulding process. Glyoxal is the aldehyde that seems to produce bioplastics with best thermal and mechanical properties. This study would contribute to evaluate the potentials of adding aldehyde to gluten/plasticiser systems to control the microstructure and properties of the final bioplastics.     

Spectrophotometric evaluation of the photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde by Fe2O3–TiO2 nano hybrid

Photocatalytic capabilities of sol–gel synthesized Fe₂O₃–TiO₂ nano hybrid was investigated in degradation of formaldehyde in presence of ultra violet and visible irradiation. The reaction stream was evaluated by UV–vis spectrophotometry at 330–500 nm spectral region, using Fluoral-P (4-amino-3-penten-2-one) as a complexing agent. Obtained results confirmed the effective role of Fe₂O₃ phase in nano hybrid for degradation of formaldehyde according to Baeyer–Villiger reaction. On the other hand TiO₂ would play the role of photocatalyst in presence of UV ray. Nano hybrid assisted process was monitored by spectrophotometry, utilizing multivariate curve resolution chemometric technique.     

分光光度法测定水样中乙二醇和甲醛的含量

建立了一种同时测定水样中乙二醇和甲醛含量的方法。采用品红-亚硫酸分光光度法,以乙二醇为标样,乙二醇含量在0.4~2.0μg/mL的范围内线性关系较好,R=0.998 9,检出限为0.2μg/mL,平均回收率99.72%。该方法简便、可靠,可作为水样中乙二醇和甲醛的含量测定方法。     

关于室内空气中甲醛测定方法研究

人们对自己周边的生活环境要求越来越高,想方设法改变自己的居住环境,可通过室内的陈设品和装修来改变,因此,装修成为了一股热潮,化工的涂料、木制的地板是人们装修时的首选,但是这些材料中存在甲醛这种化工原料,不仅是室内的空气受到污染,更会对人们的身体造成伤害。因此,检测空气中的甲醛存在,并及时采取消散甲醛措施非常的关键。就空气中的甲醛测定方法做了研究,并对个方法的优缺点进行了分析。     

Degradation of monomethylmercury chloride by hydroxyl radicals in simulated natural waters

The degradation of methylmercury chloride by hydroxyl radicals (*OH) has been investigated using nitrate photolysis from 285 to 800 nm with a 450 W Xenon lamp as the (*OH source. The identified products are Hg(2+), Hg(0), CHCl(3) and formaldehyde. The second-order rate constant at pH of 5 at room temperature was determined to be 9.83(+-0.66)x10(9) M(-1) x s(-1)using benzoic acid as the *OH scavenger. The effects of chloride concentration and methylmercury speciation have also been investigated. A mechanism of the CH(3)HgCl-*OH reaction has been proposed. The calculated methylmercury degradation rates in natural waters using the above rate constant were comparable to the in situ photodegradation rates reported previously, indicating that degradation by (*)OH may be one of the important pathways of methylmercury degradation in sunlit surface waters.     

Effect of inhaled formaldehyde on learning and memory of mice

In this study, we investigated the effect of inhaled formaldehyde on learning and memory capacity. After exposure to 0 (control), 1 and 3 mg/m(3) of gaseous formaldehyde respectively, the behavior of mice in a Morris water maze, the expression of NR1, NR2B mRNA and oxidative damage levels in mice brain were analyzed. The water maze performance, the activities of dismutase superoxide (SOD) and levels of glutathione (GSH) decreased significantly in 3 mg/m(3) group (P < 0.01, compared with control group); while malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and expression of NR1 and NR2B genes increased significantly after exposure to 3 mg/m(3) of gaseous formaldehyde (P < 0.05, <0.01, <0.01, compared with control group). These findings indicate that inhaled formaldehyde negatively affects learning and memory at 3 mg/m(3) of gaseous formaldehyde but not at lower levels. Oxidative stress-induced neuron damages in the brain may be the possible mechanism for these effects. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study indicates that inhaled formaldehyde starts to negatively affect learning and memory at a middle concentration of formaldehyde without interference of other indoor air pollutants. Oxidative damage, and the alteration of NMDA receptor expression, which were induced by formaldehyde inhalation, may be the possible mechanism for gaseous formaldehyde-induced neurotoxicity.     

The mathematical model for the formaldehyde emission from wood-based board in room

A mathematical model which describes the influence of various parameters on formaldehyde concentration in the atmosphere of a room containing wood-based boards was developed. The physical meanings and measuring methods of the parameters of the model are also discussed. Based on this model, two indices for commenting the formaldehyde emission process of wood-based boards are proposed, and inequality estimation for the formaldehyde content of wood-based boards at any moment and a time estimation which shows when the room satisfies the environment quality standard are also given.     

Indoor air quality,ventilation and health symptoms in schools: an analysis of existing information

We reviewed the literature on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), ventilation, and building-related health problems in schools and identified commonly reported building-related health symptoms involving schools until 1999. We collected existing data on ventilation rates, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and symptom-relevant indoor air contaminants, and evaluated information on causal relationships between pollutant exposures and health symptoms. Reported ventilation and CO2 data strongly indicate that ventilation is inadequate in many classrooms, possibly leading to health symptoms. Adequate ventilation should be a major focus of design or remediation efforts. Total volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde (HCHO) and microbiological contaminants are reported. Low HCHO concentrations were unlikely to cause acute irritant symptoms (<0.05 ppm), but possibly increased risks for allergen sensitivities, chronic irritation, and cancer. Reported microbiological contaminants included allergens in deposited dust, fungi, and bacteria. Levels of specific allergens were sufficient to cause symptoms in allergic occupants. Measurements of airborne bacteria and airborne and surface fungal spores were reported in schoolrooms. Asthma and 'sick building syndrome' symptoms are commonly reported. The few studies investigating causal relationships between health symptoms and exposures to specific pollutants suggest that such symptoms in schools are related to exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), molds and microbial VOCs, and allergens.     

The biofiltration of indoor air: implications for air quality

An alternative method of maintaining indoor air quality may be through the biofiltration of air recirculating within the structure rather than the traditional approach of ventilation. This approach is currently being investigated. Prior to its acceptance for dealing with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO2, efforts were made to determine whether the incorporation of this amount of biomass into the indoor space can have an (negative) impact on indoor air quality. A relatively large ecologically complex biofilter composed of a ca. 10 m2 bioscrubber, 30 m2 of plantings and a 3,500 litre aquarium were established in a 160 m2 'airtight' room in a recently constructed office building in downtown Toronto. This space maintained ca. 0.2 air changes per hour (ACH) compared to the 15 to 20 ACH (with a 30% refresh rate) of other spaces in the same building. Air quality parameters of concern were total VOCs (TVOCs), formaldehyde and aerial spore counts. TVOC and formaldehyde levels in the biofilter room were the same or significantly less than other spaces in the building despite a much slower refresh rate. Aerial spore levels were slightly higher than other indoor spaces but were well within reported values for 'healthy' indoor spaces. Levels appeared to be dependent on horticultural management practices within the space. Most genera of fungal spores present were common indoors and the other genera were associated with living or dead plant material or soil. From these results, the incorporation of a large amount of biomass associated with indoor biofilters does not in itself lower indoor air quality.