Formaldehyde
question:formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that can be carcinogenic to humans, and is a common additive to building materials and household products. Formaldehyde is also formed in the environment upon oxidation of a variety of hydrocarbons, including natural gas (methane). Symptoms of exposure to low concentrations of formaldehyde may include headache, nausea, throat and skin irritation, and exacerbated chemical sensitivity. For a quick summary of formaldehyde exposure basics, please see the [ASTDR’s ToxFAQs for Formaldehyde](https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/TF.asp?id=219&tid=39). For much more in-depth information, please see the [ASTDR’s Toxicological Profile for Formaldehyde](https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=220&tid=39). In Public Lab, we’ve been exploring low-cost methods for monitoring airborne concentrations of formaldehyde and low-cost methods for mitigating exposure to it. ### Formaldehyde projects Projects related to formaldehyde monitoring and exposure mitigation can be found on the following wikis. Low-cost monitoring of airborne formaldehyde using colorimetric tubes: https://publiclab.org/wiki/formaldehyde-test-kit Low-cost monitoring of airborne formaldehyde using a passive badge sampler and smartphone app: https://publiclab.org/wiki/smart-form Personal exposure to formaldehyde (and information about exposure): https://publiclab.org/wiki/formaldehyde-exposure Low-cost remediation or airborne formaldehyde: https://publiclab.org/wiki/diy-indoor-air-quality-remediation-kit ### Current formaldehyde research in Public Lab Follow active development on [the tag 'formaldehyde.'](/tag/formaldehyde) You can also [subscribe](/subscriptions) to to the formaldehyde tag to get email updates when a research note, wiki, or question gets tagged as related to formaldehyde. **** ### Questions in Public Lab related to formaldehyde [questions:formaldehyde] **** ### Activities to try in Public Lab related to formaldehyde [activities:formaldehyde] **** ...


Author Comment Last activity Moderation
mimiss "I'm becoming familiar with the MeteoMex suite of sensors from @robert_winkler that includes tVOC monitoring and could serve as a low-cost place to ..." | Read more » about 4 years ago
Ag8n "There are a number of other GC detectors, many of which are kind of obscure. Take a look at those and see if any fit the VOC/ TOC (total organic c..." | Read more » about 4 years ago
Ag8n "These instruments are all based on GC detectors. So your best approach is to look at other GC detectors to see which one fits your needs. One goo..." | Read more » about 4 years ago
warren "Wow i wasn't familiar with PID sensors. I skimmed the Wikiepedia page here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photoionization_detector And also found..." | Read more » about 4 years ago
stevie "Answers came in from @nshapiro "You could try a summa canister: http://summacanister.com/ (they are offered by many labs not just this one). it is..." | Read more » about 4 years ago
liz " From /wiki/formaldehyde: Symptoms of exposure to low concentrations of formaldehyde may include headache, nausea, throat and skin irritation, and..." | Read more » about 5 years ago
Mailan2021 " Please treat each other well. Everybody has difficulties that we have to overcome, do not know later but how to live each day happily. red ball " | Read more » about 5 years ago
Bronwen " There is an overview of some of they symptoms of formaldehyde exposure over on the OSHA website, here: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations..." | Read more » about 5 years ago
warren "This may also be helpful -- but i can't vouch for this sensor at all, FYI!  https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ccs811-air-quality-breakout-hookup..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "I wonder if this would work? https://www.sparkfun.com/news/2433 On Tue, Oct 2, 2018, 1:51 PM \<notifications@publiclab.org> wrote: Public L..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
Ag8n "Thank you for your answer. There are a lot of questions about color, interferences, number of tests being done, etc. That we could go back and for..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "hi @Ag8n, the validation work is being conducted by the Building Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory at Syracuse University. The protocol i..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
Ag8n "Thank you for your reply. I looked at the paper referenced. The pump modifications look very good! Glad to hear you are in the validation phase...." | Read more » about 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "@Ag8n, our goal is to have this system be less expensive and more sensitive than Draeger tubes. The pumps recommended for Draeger tubes are often v..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
warren "Maybe @gretchengehrke or @nshapiro can chime in on this one? Thanks! " | Read more » about 6 years ago