Abstract
There is little information available on exposure to formaldehyde in retail outlets where new products, which may emit formaldehyde, are often stored and sold. Formaldehyde exposure was determined in 38 retail stores. The stores were selected from six categories: hardware, clothing, furniture, fabric, carpet and hair salons. The six categories were selected to represent retail stores where products containing formaldehyde are likely to be sold, stored or used and may lead to elevated levels of formaldehyde. Two monitors were placed in each store for three days during a working week and were positioned a minimum of 0.5 metres from any potential formaldehyde source in two areas near the centre of the store. An audit was conducted in all of the stores to identify potential point sources of formaldehyde and ventilation characteristics of the building.