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 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established the workplace 8-hour Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for formaldehyde at 20 ng/L (16 parts per billion). However, since more time is spent at home than at the workplace, this level should be modified when applied to a residence. Several states have set limits on acceptable residential levels for formaldehyde; however, they vary considerably from state to state. For example, the State of Michigan has established 1.9 ng/L (1.5 parts per billion) as the acceptable residential indoor air concentration. The State of Arizona has established 12 ng/L as the acceptable 24-hour exposure limit. With this lack of clarity among the various standard-setting organizations, any level above 5 ng/L (4.0 parts per billion) should be addressed by identifying and removing the source(s).

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