Testing for Formaldehyde using Home Air Check™

Formaldehyde is sampled with the Home Air Check test kit using a second sampling tube, and is collected identically to samples for TVOCs and mold. Once returned to the PATI laboratory, the sample is analyzed by an infrared analysis method developed by PATI due to its greater sensitivity and specificity for its determination. This methodology was developed to measure formaldehyde and can monitor its presence in the low parts per billion (ppb) range—about 50 times more sensitive than the required action level for an 8-hour time exposure as referenced below. Therefore, if formaldehyde is present in your home, Home Air Check will be able to easily make that determination.

Because of the unique and precise method in which formaldehyde is analyzed from the home air sample, a second sampling tube is required to test for this chemical, and therefore, a separate cost of $65 is incurred. If you would like to test for the presence of formaldehyde in your home, in addition to testing for TVOC and mold levels, please indicate this on your order form.

For Your Information…
The OSHA Standard for permissible exposure limits (PELs) for formaldehyde in the workplace is 0.75 parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (0.75 ppm) measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). The Standard includes a second PEL in the form of a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 2 ppm — the maximum exposure allowed during a 15-minute period. The action level (i.e., the threshold for increased industrial hygiene monitoring and initiation of employee medical surveillance) is 0.5 ppm when calculated as an 8-hour TWA.

To see the OSHA fact sheet on Formaldehyde and a further explanation of the time tests for permissable exposure limits, click here.

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