Formaldehyde Testing

XRF Research performs formaldehyde testing for indoor air quality, workplace exposure, material concerns, and post-installation complaints involving manufactured wood products, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, adhesives, finishes, or other potential formaldehyde sources.

Formaldehyde is a toxic volatile compound that can be emitted by particle board and related products used in construction, cabinetry, and furniture making. Formaldehyde testing should be designed around the concern. A residential odor complaint, a workplace exposure assessment, a new-cabinetry concern, and a post-renovation evaluation may require different sampling durations, locations, and interpretation.

Indoor air may be tested for the presence of formaldehyde by passing a known volume of air through sampling media that captures formaldehyde for later laboratory analysis, such as sampling consistent with NIOSH Method 2016 when appropriate for the project. Outdoor or comparison samples may be collected to help determine whether indoor levels appear different from ambient conditions.

The values obtained may be used as part of a formaldehyde exposure risk assessment or indoor air quality evaluation. Testing results are most useful when paired with a clear question and a sensible sampling plan.