Determination of indoor air quality at the Unlv campus
Abstract
Research on air pollution has gained particular momentum over the past decade. The presence of volatile hydrocarbons, and aldehydes in indoor environments has raised concern about the safety and well-being of personnel exposed to environments containing these pollutants. Because of potential sources of hydrocarbons and formaldehyde, the anatomy lab in the Biology building and the working areas of the Reprographics building on the UNLV campus were singled out for study. Air samples were collected from the Reprographics building for hydrocarbon analysis. A charcoal sorbent tube attached to a commercially available sampler was used for sample collection. Analyses were performed with GC and GC-MS. Data are presented showing the concentration of various hydrocarbons. To determine the concentration of formaldehyde in the Reprographics building and the anatomy lab in the Biology building, air samples were collected in 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4- DNPH) solution (using an impinger) and the concentration of formaldehyde, as the addition product with 2,4-DNPH, was determined by HPLC with UV-VIS detection.