Formaldehyde
formaldehyde

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
zengirl2 "I agree with @bronwen that an image would help a lot. I would like to see a pic of the test equipment maybe without people. I also think you could ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
liz "@liz awards a barnstar to haines241 for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » about 6 years ago
Bronwen "@gretchen Gotcha... I don't think "knock on door" necessarily needs to go, but maybe a few more words could make it friendlier. Is it going to be o..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "@liz, We wanted to go with the most eye-catching postcard so we could say, "Do you remember that bright green postcard from a couple of weeks ago."..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "@bronwen, We can only use black ink on colored paper. Good question about the file type... I think i might need to make it in this company's online..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
Bronwen "@gretchengehrke , are there any other requirements/limitations besides the text being black? Is it limited to 2 color printing, or could another im..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
Bronwen "Maybe something like "We're hoping you will let us test it when we visit your neighborhood" vs "knock on door"? " | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Maybe use a background color that is associated with air, like the color blue? Also, i get why it's written like this, but the line "when we knock ..." | 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 "Just another note here that could be helpful -- this has a collection of reusable UI design patterns they call "blocks" that I thought were really ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
nshapiro "Thinking about the history of the science behind the kit (photo by Merle Ibach): " | Read more » over 6 years ago
nshapiro "Here are a couple more images of the event. The mesh assembly table: The root cleaning station: " | Read more » over 6 years ago
nshapiro "Here are all the differnt forms of instructions (different sizes and web or print usage): kit_instructions-web_A4.pdf kit_instructions-web_A3.p..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren " Smart-Forms_wireframes-cropped.psd I guess PSDs don't upload correctly in the rich editor but they work in comments-- good for now, i guess? " | Read more » over 6 years ago
nshapiro "its pretty small. the file is linked in the text, here's the link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SbZog5bou9gsCbv5kqFMKwvD6QCCG_Kl/view Thank you! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Hi, how big is the file? We can host it on one of our servers; can you share the drive link for now? " | Read more » over 6 years ago
nshapiro "hi @warren! how do i upload Kevin's .psd to PL.org and link to there so that he can not worry about accidentally breaking the link to his drive in ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
Ag8n "Thank you for your answer. There are a lot of questions about color, interferences, number of tests being done, etc. That we could go back and for..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "hi @Ag8n, the validation work is being conducted by the Building Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory at Syracuse University. The protocol i..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
Ag8n "Thank you for your reply. I looked at the paper referenced. The pump modifications look very good! Glad to hear you are in the validation phase...." | Read more » over 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "@Ag8n, our goal is to have this system be less expensive and more sensitive than Draeger tubes. The pumps recommended for Draeger tubes are often v..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Maybe @gretchengehrke or @nshapiro can chime in on this one? Thanks! " | Read more » over 6 years ago