Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39141837›Full record

ArticleJournal of occupational health2024

Investigating exceedances of formaldehyde levels and source identification in offices of an academic medical institute.

Watcharakorn Chuthong, Vithawat Surawattanasakul, Ratana Sapbamrer, Wachiranun Sirikul

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of occupational health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Watcharakorn ChuthongDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.ORCID 0009-0008-8970-9871
Vithawat SurawattanasakulDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0001-9756-2162
Ratana SapbamrerDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0003-0379-2798
Wachiranun SirikulDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0002-9183-4582

Funding

Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand 058-2565
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo investigate factors associated with indoor formaldehyde levels in office settings within an academic medical institute.

methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 offices (261 workers) at a medical university in Thailand. Questionnaires gathered data on demographics, work patterns, and office equipment usage (printers, photocopiers, air fresheners, liquid paper, glue, cleaning agents, and marker pens). The building environment was assessed by a multidisciplinary team. Formaldehyde levels and relevant parameters (temperature and relative humidity) were measured in each room both indoors and outdoors. A multiple linear regression model investigated the relationship between formaldehyde and office factors, controlling for room conditions.

resultsMedian office formaldehyde levels were 442.1 μg/m3 (interquartile range: 343.8-908.7 μg/m3), exceeding World Health Organization and Thai guidelines. Photocopier use was significantly associated with higher levels of indoor formaldehyde (β = .20; 95% CI, 0.30-0.37; P = .02). Air freshener use also showed a significant association (β = .56; 95% CI, 0.30-0.81; P < .001). No correlation was found between the use of liquid paper, glue, printers, cleaning agents, or marker pens and indoor formaldehyde levels.

conclusionsIndoor formaldehyde levels in these offices exceeded the established guidelines. Use of photocopiers and air fresheners was associated with increased formaldehyde levels. Implementing interventions such as improved ventilation and regular screening is essential for creating healthier office environments.

Indexed as

Air Pollution, IndoorFormaldehydeOccupational ExposureAcademic Medical CentersAdultAir Pollutants, OccupationalCross-Sectional StudiesEnvironmental MonitoringFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesThailandWorkplaceAir Pollutants, OccupationalFormaldehydeformaldehydeindoor air pollutionoffice worker

Identifiers

PMID39141837
PMCPMC11457052

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.