An easy way to protect you and your family is with Formaldehyde testing. Formaldehyde is a chemical compound which is commonly used, and there are various forms in which it exists. At room temperature it has a very notable smell which is borderline pungent and is colorless, it is a gaseous and flammable substance. There are some industries which use formaldehyde for a variety of purposes, for example: for manufacturing various material for building such as products made of pressed wood, mainly as a resin which is adhesive, plywood, fiberboard, kerosene space heaters, fuel burning appliances and cigarette smoke.
There are household products that contain formaldehyde, such as the additive for press, it is one of the ingredients in glue and is also used in medical labs as a sterilizer and embalming fluid. Being as formaldehyde is a byproduct of combustion as well as other intrinsic processes, there are various concentrations in which it can be found as well as various environments.
Why Formaldehyde Testing Is So Important
Below we will mention some products which may have used formaldehyde while being produced. This means that the industries in charge of creating these products should be monitored on a regular basis. This is not an all-inclusive list, and it’s important to point out that although formaldehyde may have been used in the production process, it is not necessarily in the final products.
Products Manufactured With Formaldehyde:
- Photographic film
- Paper towels
- Nail polish
- There are glues which use formaldehyde as their bonding agent
- Formaldehyde is used for various units of automobiles
- To manufacture panel products which are composite
- Fabrics which are wrinkle free
- Types of ink
- And as mentioned earlier, some building materials
As you can see, there are numerous products which contain formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds; they are all around us. Most of the exposure to formaldehyde will come from the production of polymers which can be found in many products that are used for not only building homes and offices but also furnishing them.
Recently the adverse health effects associated with elevated levels of exposure to formaldehyde have shown that repeated and prolonged contact with formaldehyde can be very dangerous. Inhaling air which has been contaminated with formaldehyde is a significant health risk, thus, performing formaldehyde testing to avoid exposure is critical.
Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can trigger:
- difficulty breathing
- respiratory irritation
- asthma attacks
- watery eyes
- burning eyes
There are personal samplers which can be used for formaldehyde testing, they are lightweight and very easy to use, here is how they work:
Remove the sampling bag from its pouch.
Insert the clip that is provided with the designated slot located on the sampling badge.
The badge is then connected to an object which allows air to flow on both of the badges sides. It should be placed in the center of the room at approximately three feet off the ground, on the chain of custody you have to record the start time.
Once twenty-four hours have elapsed, the cap on the sample badge or badges must be closed, and on the chain of custody, record stops time. Place the badge or badges in the foil pouch which is provided and seal shut.
On the foil pouch label, you must indicate the location the sample was taken from.
Foil pouches, as well as the chain of custody, must be placed in the prepaid shipping envelope which was included and sent off to the carrier. Once you receive the results of your formaldehyde testing, if the reported amount is concerning is important to seek professional assistance as well as pay a visit to your primary care provider.