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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| liz | "HI @Zengirl2 , would you please post pictures of your container-in-container design that you describe above? <3 <3 <3 " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "Also maybe we should buy and take apart one of these to see how their system works. this is more closely based on NASA research than the Andrea pur..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "So exciting @kkoerner! no need to have a finalized prototype, in-process is a nice time to share and get feedback. I'd also like to circulate your ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
| kkoerner | "@nshapiro Yes, I'm still with CAC! I've been meaning to post some of the work I've done here. We have a more finalized prototype for our air monito..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "here are some design precedents we were thinking with a year ago that I just sent to Christophe (we'll talk in may as he gets up to speed). I woul..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
| zengirl2 | "@nshapiro @warren @kkoerner Interesting to think about the container's involvement with vibrations as well, especially since I was thinking of havi..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "Thanks @kkoerner! For the air purifier, pulsing pumps are a-ok as we are not trying to move air through the roots in a precisely known way, just a ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "Hi @indy if you're based in Indiana, as your name hints, you can report your symptoms to the stat DOH and they might come out and test for free. In..." | Read more » | about 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 » | about 7 years ago | |||
| zengirl2 | "This is all very interesting @warren and @nshapiro because initially on reading the report with the air device and hearing the user's symptoms had ..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| kkoerner | "I do have some documents and quotes for smaller pumps, though they're more costly (roughly $100 with shipping included) and when LukeS tested simil..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "in terms of jeff's questions: I'm not sure I understand the bell jar totally. I think a month is a good time for a test, to minimize illusory short..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "yes! a 3 way would be great, they really do moan when they get jammed. A three way or a two way that vents the non-line engaged channel would be id..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| mathew | "1) Looking up the flow rate is going to give a rough estimate, but we will probably have to measure in-situ. The bubble method is a good one here. ..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Hi, Nick, thanks! Using an arduino to switch pumps or valves seems totally plausible. For prototyping, fans was easier, and I do wonder if we could..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "I love this idea! It really highlights that this kind of intervention could be a way to make the diffuse impacts of indoor air quality quantifiable..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| Indy | "Hi, my search for formaldehyde testing brought me to this article. I'm wondering if you could help me with some advice - I'd appreciate it. I'm ve..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "I managed to cobble together an Arduino program to try this out: Button turns on one of two fans, randomly. On second press, it reveals which had ..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| warren | "Oh, also just for ref, the idea i posted is here: https://publiclab.org/notes/warren/02-09-2017/a-kit-to-design-your-own-formaldehyde-experiment " | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| Dave-O | "You're welcome, @nshapiro ! Is this the same EPA approved method that you used? https://www3.epa.gov/ttnamti1/files/ambient/airtox/to-11ar.pdf And ..." | Read more » | over 7 years ago | |||
| nshapiro | "Thanks, @Dave-O ! We did some side by side testing of this method next to an EPA approved method and we found these tubes to be cross contaminated ..." | 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 » | over 7 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 » | over 7 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 » | over 7 years ago |