Which indoor pollutant is commonly associated with emissions from building materials and furniture?

• A. Radon
• B. Formaldehyde
• C. Ozone
• D. Nitrogen dioxide

Answer: (B)

Indoor pollutants tied to building materials and furniture are often volatile organic compounds that off-gas from these items. The best example is formaldehyde, a resin used to bind pressed wood products like particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard. These materials can release formaldehyde into indoor air, especially when new or in spaces with limited ventilation, causing irritation and other health concerns over time. The other options come from different sources: radon originates from the soil and enters buildings through foundations, not from furnishings; ozone indoors usually results from outdoor air or from reactions involving outdoor pollutants and indoor VOCs rather than direct emissions from furniture or building materials; nitrogen dioxide mainly comes from combustion sources such as gas stoves and heaters, not from the materials themselves.