Shanghai's consumer commission is working with the indoor environment association on a survey to find the major sources of indoor air pollution, which has become a big concern for apartment buyers in recent years.

The Shanghai Environmental Protection Industry Association is offering free air quality tests to 100 families living in newly decorated homes.

"Toxic gases like formaldehyde and benzene from substandard decoration materials and furniture have become big concerns with improved health awareness and higher demands for the living environment," said Cao Baofa, vice secretary general with the home decoration office under the Shanghai Commission of Consumers' Rights and Interests Protection.

(Shanghai Daily March 10, 2006)