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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| stevie | "How long would you estimate it would take someone to do this who hasn't done it before (Assuming we've gathered all the materials)? " | Read more » | about 6 years ago | |||
| NickyName | "Is there any chance to know the exact proportion of the diameter/size of the planter/jar and the amount of activated charcoal to make it work? Tha..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| localman | "@nshapiro I went the lazy route and grabbed a few of the Plant Air Purifiers I'd be down to measure my levels - will likely revisit building my ow..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "Hi @localman, apologies for any confusion. Vertical (facing upwards close to the rootball) is ideal. It depends on how big your planter is whether ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| localman | "@nshapiro - Thanks for getting back to us! To clarify: a vertical (outflow facing upwards) or horizontal (outflow facing toward the root ball) are ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "Thanks all! Looks like I'm late to some important comments. Thanks, @warren. I've updated the note per both of your requests. @Odie91that's a gre..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| localman | "Excellent project! I've been diving into Wolverton's studies (alongside all other phyto-remediation studies) to get an idea of what options I have ..." | Read more » | over 6 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi, Nick, can you post the total estimated cost? Thanks!! " | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| Odie91 | "Hi, this is an interesting project. I'm curious, do you think it's really necessary to convert the aquarium pump from blower to suction? If you b..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "Absolutely! I just heard back from the UCSD guys and they spent about $200 on 10 kits including plants. Looking forward to seeing your sketches an..." | Read more » | almost 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi, Nick - i had a bunch of ideas building on the remediation kit that I'm hoping to post sketches and notes on today. Eager to hear your thoughts! " | Read more » | almost 8 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "i think @Zengirl2 has some ideas on this and has maybe been working on a tutorial with a low cost model. I will also ask colleagues at PIAO who mad..." | Read more » | almost 8 years ago | |||
| liz | "how much do you think building 10 of these at a time would cost? Where might there be savings? " | Read more » | almost 8 years ago | |||
| jfrankamp | "@warren Thanks for the barnstar! I put an answer, but not a definitive one on the question. @nshapiro When I get the next one built I'll see if yo..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "I posted a question! https://publiclab.org/questions/warren/10-08-2016/in-the-plant-based-air-purifier-could-airflow-go-the-other-way-using-an-unmo..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "warren awards a barnstar to jfrankamp for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "Yes replication barnstars!! We need to refine and expand the replication features. I'd like to try a couple variations like high/low airflow, comp..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "Its great that your thumb was greener than expected and that the water roots were forming and growing through carbon deposits. Your question about..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "warren awards a barnstar to nshapiro for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| warren | "I think this is great. I'd mentioned to @liz but the question How can i know if my plant-based air filter is working? is great, and I think it'd be..." | Read more » | about 8 years ago | |||
| danbeavers | "Warren: I don't have the complete setup here that Nick has been using. I have 1 unused and one used tube and the rest of the equipment shown in my..." | Read more » | over 9 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi Dan and Nick - is there a complete setup available for photography and testing in the NOLA area? I'll be in town next week working on documentat..." | Read more » | over 9 years ago | |||
| eustatic | "cool " | Read more » | over 9 years ago | |||
| danbeavers | "I did not think about measuring the AC duty cycle. I think the most influential observation was the front door being open 8 to 10 inches. By the ..." | Read more » | over 9 years ago |