Ambient Levels of Formaldehyde and Acetaldehyde in Atlanta, Georgia

Abstract

Ambient levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde have been measured at four locations in the Atlanta, Georgia, area during July and August 1992. Location-averaged concentrations were 2.7 - 3.0 ppb for formaldehyde and 2.6 - 3.2 ppb for acetaldehyde (2 hr - samples). The highest concentrations measured were 8.3 ppb for formaldehyde and 8.4 ppb for acetaldehyde. On the average, ambient aldehyde concentrations measured at two elevations (6 m and 30 m) at a near-downtown location were similar; those recorded at a predominantly upwind site were slightly lower, and those recorded at a predominantly downwind site were slightly higher. The formaldehyde/acetaldehyde concentration ratio (ppb/ppb) ranged from 0.2 to 3.3 and averaged 1.04 ± 0.46 (217 samples). A brief discussion of the data is presented and includes method performance evaluation, diurnal variations, examination of the acetaldehyde/formaldehyde concentration ratio, and comparison with literature data for other urban areas.