Exposure to formaldehyde can occur in various settings, especially in industries where it is used or released during manufacturing processes. Formaldehyde is a widely used monomer in polymer 
production, a common preservative for biological materials, and a key component in glues, adhesives, and lacquers. It is also present in smoke and exhaust fumes, making exposure a concern in workplaces with combustion processes.
Formaldehyde is extremely toxic and classified as a potential human carcinogen. For context, formaldehyde is 10 times more toxic than notoriously famous carbon monoxide, underscoring the importance of careful monitoring. If you suspect formaldehyde in your workplace, it’s essential to schedule testing with a reliable provider.
LCS Laboratory Inc. is a leading Industrial Hygiene laboratory specializing in air quality assessment and evaluation of workers’ exposure to hazardous chemicals, including formaldehyde. We provide a complete solution for formaldehyde testing, including:
• Air sampling pumps and sampling tubes
• Laboratory analysis using NIOSH 2016 methods
• Reporting of laboratory results
Our services are designed to support personal exposure assessments in industries where formaldehyde poses a risk, helping you ensure compliance with safety regulations and protect employee health.
air sampling pumps
Various methods exist for collecting formaldehyde samples from air, but the preferred and most accurate technique is the NIOSH Method 2016. This method is highly regarded for its reliability and precision. It involves collecting air samples using DNPH-coated silica gel sampling tubes (2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine). As air flows through the tube, formaldehyde reacts with the DNPH to form a stable derivative. These samples are then analyzed in our laboratory using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a UV detector at 365 nm, offering unmatched sensitivity and selectivity. With this method, LCS Laboratory Inc. can detect formaldehyde levels as low as 0.2 micrograms per sample, ensuring a thorough assessment of exposure risks.
The NIOSH 2016 method is highly versatile, allowing for both short-term (15-minute) samples to evaluate Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL), and 8-hour samples for Time-Weighted Average (TWA) exposure. Samples can be collected as:
• Personal samples, where a worker wears a lightweight (100 g) sampling pump to monitor formaldehyde levels in their breathing zone.
• Stationary samples, to measure formaldehyde concentrations in a specific area or process within the workplace.
If you represent a consulting company or an industry where formaldehyde may be present, reach out to us for a no-obligation quote. To get started, let us know:
• The number of workers you need to test
• Any air sampling equipment you have (like pumps or tubes)
• How we can assist with your testing needs
Contact LCS Laboratory Inc. today to ensure a safer, compliant workplace. Thank you for considering us as your partner in air quality and formaldehyde exposure assessment.
