Chemicals Invade China Malls

A shocking new study emerged yesterday that announced almost 30 percent of Beijing’s malls and supermarkets have an excessively high amount of formaldehyde concentration in the air, posing an obvious threat to the wellbeing of customers.

Formaldehyde is a type of chemical that smells similar to eggs and is used widely to produce building materials, such as drywall, and household products. Long-term exposure may cause serious health problems since it is listed as a “probable human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Beijing municipal health bureau said the formaldehyde concentration failed to meet standards of indoor air quality in its four-month investigation of air toxics in indoor public areas between May to August. The bureau investigated 157 buildings, including 81 hotels and restaurants, 76 shopping malls and supermarkets. Bureau officials tested for formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sniffable particulate matter.

All the establishments that failed to meet the standards have been “asked” to improve their air quality. Meanwhile, health department are requiring that all the establishments increase awareness of their air toxin levels and promote better hygiene to provide a better environment for the public.

Each year, about 2.8 million people in the world, and 111,000 in China, die from diseases related to indoor air pollution, according to the WHO.