AMBIENT LEVELS OF FORMALDEHYDE AND ACETALDEHYDE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Ambient levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde have been measured at four locations in the Atlanta, Georgia, area during July and August 19 92. Location-averaged concentrations were 2.7 - 3.0 ppb for formaldehy de and 2.6 - 3.2 ppb for acetaldehyde (2 hr - samples). The highest co ncentrations measured were 8.3 ppb for formaldehyde and 8.4 ppb for ac etaldehyde. On the average, ambient aldehyde concentrations measured a t two elevations (6 m and 30 m) at a near-downtown location were simil ar; those recorded at a predominantly upwind site were slightly lower, and those recorded at a predominantly downwind site were slightly hig her. The formaldehyde/acetaldehyde concentration ratio (ppb/ppb) range d from 0.2 to 3.3 and averaged 1.04 +/- 0.46 (217 samples). A brief di scussion of the data is presented and includes method performance eval uation, diurnal variations, examination of the acetaldehyde/formaldehy de concentration ratio, and comparison with literature data for other urban areas.