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The purpose of this study was to develop an accurate, selective, low-cost and user-friendly colorimetric pad to detect formaldehyde at low concentration.

1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione, a reactive chemical, was selected to develop the colorimetric pad for indoor air formaldehyde measurement. Silica nanoparticle impregnated with the reactive chemical was coated on the cellulose filter surface to increase the reactive site. A certified formaldehyde permeation tube was used to generate six varied concentrations between 0.01 and 0.10 ppm in a test chamber. The color intensity on the pads was measured using an image processing program to produce a formaldehyde concentration reading chart. The colorimetric pad was tested for optimum reaction time, accuracy, precision, stability, selectivity and shelf life.

The color of the pads changed from white to yellow and the color intensity varied with the concentrations and appeared to be stable after exposure to formaldehyde for 8 hours. At room temperature, the stability of the pad was 7 days, and shelf life was 120 days. The accuracy, precision and bias of the pad were 12.38%, 0.032 and 6.0%, respectively. Carbonyl compounds, benzene and toluene did not interfere with the reading of this developed colorimetric pad.

The developed colorimetric pad meets NIOSH's criteria for an overall accuracy of ±25%, bias = 10%. They were accurate at low concentrations, user-friendly and had low cost compared to an electronic direct reading instrument (cost of chemicals and materials was 21.50 Bath or 0.69 USD per piece) so that favorable for the use of general people for health protection.

This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of various techniques for enhancing indoor air quality (IAQ) in construction. It analyzed the alterations in the concentration of indoor air pollutants over time for each product employed in controlling pollution sources and removing it, which included eco-friendly substances and adsorbents. The study will provide more precise and dependable data on the effectiveness of these control methods, ultimately supporting the creation of more efficient and sustainable approaches for managing indoor air pollution in buildings.

The research investigates the impact of eco-friendly materials and adsorbents on improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in Dubai's tall apartment buildings. Field experiments were conducted in six units of The Gate Tower, comparing the IAQ of three units built with “excellent” grade eco-friendly materials with three built with “good” grade materials. Another experiment evaluated two adsorbent products (H and Z) in the Majestic Tower over six months. Results indicate that “excellent” grade materials significantly reduced toluene emissions. Adsorbent product Z showed promising results in pollutant reduction, but there is concern about the long-term behavior of adsorbed chemicals. The study emphasizes further research on household pollutant management.

The research studied the effects of eco-friendly materials and adsorbents on indoor air quality in Dubai's new apartments. It found that apartments using “excellent” eco-friendly materials had significantly better air quality, particularly reduced toluene concentrations, compared to those using “good” materials. However, high formaldehyde (HCHO) emissions were observed from wood products. While certain construction materials led to increased ethylbenzene and xylene levels, adsorbent product Z showed promise in reducing pollutants. Yet, there is a potential concern about the long-term rerelease of these trapped chemicals. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing research in indoor pollutant management.

The research, while extensive, faced limitations in assessing the long-term behavior of adsorbed chemicals, particularly the potential for rereleasing trapped pollutants over time. Despite the study spanning a considerable period, indoor air pollutant concentrations in target households did not stabilize, making it challenging to determine definitive improvement effects and reduction rates among products. Comparisons were primarily relative between target units, and the rapid rise in pollutants during furniture introduction warrants further examination. Consequently, while the research provides essential insights, it underscores the need for more prolonged and comprehensive evaluations to fully understand the materials' and adsorbents' impacts on indoor air quality.

The research underscores the importance of choosing eco-friendly materials in new apartment constructions for better IAQ. Specifically, using “excellent” graded materials can significantly reduce harmful pollutants like toluene. However, the study also highlights that certain construction activities, such as introducing furniture, can rapidly elevate pollutant levels. Moreover, while adsorbents like product Z showed promise in reducing pollutants, there is potential for adsorbed chemicals to be rereleased over time. For practical implementation, prioritizing higher-grade eco-friendly materials and further investigation into furniture emissions and long-term behavior of adsorbents can lead to healthier indoor environments in newly built apartments.

The research offers a unique empirical assessment of eco-friendly materials' impact on indoor air quality within Dubai's rapidly constructed apartment buildings. Through field experiments, it directly compares different material grades, providing concrete data on pollutant levels in newly built environments. Additionally, it explores the efficacy of specific adsorbents, which is of high value to the construction and public health sectors. The findings shed light on how construction choices can influence indoor air pollution, offering valuable insights to builders, policymakers and residents aiming to promote public health and safety in urban living spaces.