Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a naturally occurring compound that is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling gas at room temperature. It’s used in many industries and found in glues, resins, textiles, disinfectants, building materials, and laboratories.

Exposure to formaldehyde can cause eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation, and high levels of exposure can cause cancer. Mitigate the risks associated with formaldehyde by using a reliable detector. Explore everything you should know about formaldehyde gas detectors.

Common Uses for HCHO

Formaldehyde is a commonly used preservative and antiseptic. It’s also used in various manufacturing processes. HCHO is found in cosmetic, medical, and sanitary products, such as paper towels and napkins.

Formaldehyde products have many names, which include but are not limited to:

• Formalin
• Methylene glycol
• Paraform
• Formol

Some workers may have an elevated risk of exposure to formaldehyde. This group includes people who work in healthcare, furniture and wood product manufacturing, foundries, laboratories, and the textile industry. Businesses in these industries and others with ample HCHO sources can benefit from using HCHO detectors.

Permissible Exposure Limits

Formaldehyde is normally present in low levels in indoor and outdoor air. Employers must ensure that HCHO levels remain under permissible exposure limits.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends a limit of .75 ppm as an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA). The short-term exposure limit is 2 ppm in 15 minutes.

These permissible exposure limits are averages. At times, workers’ exposure might go above the permissible exposure limit, but only if the exposure then drops so that the average over an eight-hour shift does not exceed .75 ppm, or 2 ppm in 15 minutes.

Portable vs. Fixed HCHO Monitors

Formaldehyde gas detectors can be portable or fixed. The best type of detector for your application depends on the area you need to monitor and how often you need to check air quality.

Portable Detectors

Portable detectors are handheld and can be clipped to your clothes. They are lightweight, compact, and easy to carry.

Portable detectors are particularly useful for spot-checking formaldehyde levels in specific areas or during inspections. They often provide real-time readings and can identify high-risk areas.

Fixed Detectors

Fixed detectors, also known as stationary detectors, are permanently installed. They’re commonly used in industrial settings, laboratories, or buildings that need continuous protection.

Fixed detectors are connected to a centralized monitoring system and provide continuous monitoring and data logging. They are capable of detecting HCHO gas leaks or sudden spikes in concentration. The unit provides a warning when HCHO levels pass the preset threshold.

How HCHO Monitors Work

A formaldehyde gas detector contains electronics and an HCHO sensor. These parts work together to ensure accurate readings. The following steps outline the monitor’s process:

• Sampling: The detector first takes a sample of the surrounding air. Depending on your model, the detector might let air diffuse over the sensor head or use a pump to move air over the sensor head.
• Gas Detection: The sensor analyzes the air sample for HCHO. Sensors might be electrochemical, optical, or photochemical. The sensor then converts its findings into an electronic signal.
• Signal Processing: The detector’s microprocessor accepts the signal and processes it.
• Display and Alerts: The processed signal is displayed on the screen. If HCHO levels exceed the preset safety limit, it triggers an audible or visual alarm on the detector.

Colorimetric Tablets

Some detectors use colorimetric tablets for detection. This requires you to place the tablet into the detector, then it pumps a room air sample over the tablet over a predetermined time.

Formaldehyde causes the tablet to darken or stain. The more pronounced the coloration, the heavier the formaldehyde concentration.

An optical sensor in the HCHO detector reads the staining, and the device’s microprocessor calculates the concentration and displays the readout.

Features To Consider When Choosing a Detector

For safe and efficient procedures, you need an accurate and fast detector. Consider these key features before purchasing your monitor:

• Accuracy and Sensitivity: The unit should detect low levels of formaldehyde. Be aware of false readings due to interfering gases.
• Measurement Range: Check the measurement range to ensure the detector can cover the desired concentration levels.
• Response Time: Faster response times enable quicker identification of HCHO sources or sudden concentration spikes.
• Data Logging and Connectivity: Consider the detector’s data logging capabilities if you require continuous monitoring and data analysis.
• Battery Life: For portable detectors, battery life is crucial. Look for devices with long battery life for uninterrupted monitoring and ease of use.

Factors Affecting Accuracy

Interfering gases are gases in the environment other than the target gas—HCHO—that can affect the instrument’s response. A formaldehyde monitor specifically designed for HCHO may have no interfering gases, so check with your manufacturer or supplier.

Periodically perform a bump test to ensure your detector’s functionality. This test briefly exposes the detector to a known gas concentration to check that the system works.

The Importance of Formaldehyde Gas Detectors

Maintain a healthy and safe indoor environment with a formaldehyde gas detector. The detector monitors HCHO gas levels in the air and provides timely alerts when the concentration exceeds safe limits.

Formaldehyde exposure can cause shortness of breath, skin rashes, and changes in lung function. Long-term exposure can cause cancer.

Using a detector can prompt you to reduce exposure. The following are possible ways to reduce HCHO exposure:

• Improve ventilation
• Use safer substitutes for HCHO
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Establish and use safety procedures
• Train workers
• Detect, contain, and decontaminate spills and contaminated materials

Federal and state regulations may specify required employers’ actions to protect workers from HCHO exposure. Regulations might include guidelines for communication about the presence of hazardous substances and the establishment of an injury and illness prevention program.

After reviewing these essential facts to know about formaldehyde gas detectors, it’s easy to see how these systems help ensure a safe and healthy indoor environment. By promptly detecting formaldehyde gas and giving a timely audible or visual alert, detectors mitigate risks associated with HCHO exposure.

Whether you choose a portable or fixed detector, consider factors such as accuracy, sensitivity, measurement range, response time, data logging, and battery life. Invest in a reliable formaldehyde gas detector from TG Technical Services, or feel free to contact us for more information.