Reference Test Methods and Online Monitoring of Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is an important volatile organic emission component from wood-based and plastic materials and is one of the most abundant toxic pollutants in indoor air.

As a consequence indoor air quality (IAQ) and in vehicle air quality (IVAQ) guidelines now state that the concentration of formaldehyde for their respective environment should not exceed certain limits. To address this issue, manufacturers of furnishings, building materials and vehicle interior trim components are now expected to produce goods with low formaldehyde emissions. 



Typical regulations/protocols include 

• The Californian Air Resources Board (CARB) approved Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) - aimed to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products,
  
  
• AgBB protocol- emissions testing for fire-resistant floor coverings
  
  
• AFSSET - applies to all solid building materials such as interior walls, ceiling tiles, floor coverings, wall coverings, wall insulation materials, etc.
  
  
• JAMA, TÜV and leading automotive manufacturers specifications 
  
  

Methods for monitoring

Methods for monitoring formaldehyde include standard dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH) derivitisation methods or the use of online formaldehyde monitors such as the AL4021 (manufacturered and available directly from Aero-laser GmbH). Standard derivatisation methods for monitoring formaldehyde are often tedious, time consuming, and expensive. 

The AL4021 formaldehyde monitor provides a simple, continuous, rapid, sensitive and cost effective approach that is suitable for a variety of environmental air monitoring and material emission applications and material types.

The AL4021 can be interfaced with:

• Emissions chambers
  
  
• Emission cells (FLEC^®)
  
  
• Markes Micro-Chamber / Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE)
  
  
• To the split outlet of a Markes (ULTRA)-UNITY 2 thermal desorber for simultaneous formaldehyde and (S)VOC analysis.

For more information contact a Markes International materials emissions specialist. Click here to contact.


Useful Links

Californian Air Resources Board- Composite Wood Air Toxic Control Measure

Fraunhofer-Institute for Wood Research - Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut (WKI) 

Eurofins