Multi-tool formaldehyde measurement in simulated and real atmospheres for indoor air survey and concentration change monitoring

Abstract

Formaldehyde is of particular health concern since it is carcinogenic for human and ubiquitous in indoor air where people spend most of their time. Therefore, it is important to have suitable methods and techniques to measure its content in indoor air. In the present work, four different techniques have been tested in the INERIS exposure chamber and in indoor environments in comparison to a standard active method: passive sampling method based on the reaction of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine with formaldehyde, two on-line continuous monitoring systems based on fluorescence and UV measurements and a portable commercialised analyser based on electrochemical titration. Two formaldehyde concentrations, about 10 and 25 μg m−3 were generated in an exposure chamber under controlled conditions of temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed to simulate real conditions and assess potential influence on passive sampling and continuous systems response. Influence of sampling periods on passive sampling has also been evaluated. The real atmosphere experiments have been performed in four different indoor environments: an office, a furniture shop, a shopping mall, and residential dwellings in which several potential formaldehyde sources linked to household activities have been tested. The analytical and sampling problems associated with each measurement method have been identified and discussed. An overall agreement between each technique has been observed and continuous analyzers allowed for formaldehyde concentrations change monitoring and secondary formation of that pollutant observation.

Portable photocatalytic air cleaners: efficiencies and by-product generation

“…Acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and butyraldehyde were trapped on DNPH-coated cartridges and analysed after elution with acetonitrile by HPLC (Agilent 1260 Infinity DAD) following ISO 16000-3 (ISO 2011a, b). For sampling and analysis of formaldehyde, an automated acetyl acetone test method (AEROLASER AL2021) was used (Chiappini et al 2011;Wisthaler et al 2008). The method is based on the Hantzsch reaction, which involves the cyclization of 2,4-pentanedione (acac), ammonium acetate and formaldehyde to form dihydropyridine 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine (DDL).…”

Développement d'un capteur sub-ppb miniaturisé pour la mesure du formaldéhyde gazeux en air intérieur

“…La validation du capteur, à l'échelle du laboratoire, s'est poursuivie lors d'une campagne de mesure en mai 2008 avec l'INERIS [18,25,26]. Il s'agissait de réaliser des intercomparaisons entre l'appareil proposé et les méthodes d'analyses classiques commercialisées à l'heure actuelle.…”

Formaldehyde passive sampler using an optical chemical sensor: how to limit the humidity interference

“…Few methods are able to supply on-site formaldehyde measurements with the requested selectivity and sensitivity for indoor air. Three commercialised instruments with active sampling meet the following requirements: AL4021 from AEROLASER® [7,8], FM-801 from GrayWolf based on a colorimetric reaction and 4160-1000b from INTERSCAN® based on an electrochemical reaction [9]. AEROLASER and GrayWolf use the same well-established Hantzch reaction starting with acetylacetone and ammonia and detect the final product 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine (DDL), issued from the reaction with formaldehyde.…”

“…AEROLASER and GrayWolf use the same well-established Hantzch reaction starting with acetylacetone and ammonia and detect the final product 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine (DDL), issued from the reaction with formaldehyde. AEROLASER uses liquid phase reactions at low temperature and detects DDL via fluorescence with a detection limit of 0.1 μg m −3 but is not suitable for a multi-site and large campaign of measurements because of its cost [9]. GrayWolf device using Vycor glass sheets impregnated with the reactants is portable and easy to use, but its detection limit is 25 μg m −3 .…”