Formaldehyde Assessment for Homes with Historical UFFI Insulation

Requests for formaldehyde testing in older homes often arise when Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) is suspected. Although UFFI has not been used in Canada for decades, residual off‑gassing remains a concern in some older buildings. Consultants frequently report two recurring challenges:
• Residential clients need defensible data rather than screening‑level estimates
• Many laboratories offer only generic VOC panels that do not provide method‑specific formaldehyde results suitable for regulatory comparisonLCS Laboratory Inc. developed this service to address those gaps with a focused, method‑driven approach.

Limitations of Common Approaches

General indoor air quality surveys or broad VOC scans rarely provide the precision required for evaluating formaldehyde against Health Canada’s reference level of 0.04 ppm. Electronic formaldehyde meters, or non‑specific colorimetric devices can introduce uncertainty that complicates interpretation. For projects where the presence of UFFI is being evaluated, these limitations can lead to inconclusive findings or unnecessary follow‑up work.

Overview of the Service

LCS Laboratory Inc. now offers a dedicated formaldehyde air analysis service designed for residential environments where UFFI may be present. The service provides quantitative results suitable for comparison with published exposure guidelines.

Scope of Service

• Supply of validated passive samplers for 24‑hour indoor air collection
• Step‑by‑step instructions for sampler placement, sealing, and return
• Laboratory extraction and analysis of collected aldehydes
• Calculation of time‑weighted formaldehyde concentration in ppm
• Reporting that supports consultant interpretation and client communication

Applicable Procedures

Sampling is performed using passive devices that adsorb formaldehyde over a controlled exposure period. After return to the laboratory, the collected analyte is extracted and analyzed using an OSHA‑approved procedure. This approach provides specificity, quantifiable detection limits, and a clear analytical pathway that consultants can reference in their reports.

Key Limitations and Considerations

• The method is optimized for 24‑hour indoor residential sampling; shorter or longer durations may affect comparability
• Results reflect conditions during the sampling period and may not represent long‑term averages
• Elevated readings may originate from multiple indoor sources, not solely UFFI
• For general IAQ investigations or broad VOC characterization, alternative methods may be more appropriate

When This Service Is Most Appropriate

This service is well‑suited for:
• Homes where UFFI is suspected or documented
• Real‑estate transactions requiring defensible formaldehyde data
• Consultant‑led investigations focused on a single analyte of concern
• Projects where comparison to Health Canada’s 0.04 ppm reference value is required

Current Availability

This formaldehyde testing service is offered exclusively by LCS Laboratory Inc. and is available for residential projects across Canada.

Planning and Project Integration

Consultants may select the number of samplers based on building layout and investigative goals. In typical single‑family homes, two to three samplers—often one per floor—provide adequate spatial coverage. Clear instructions are included to support consistent deployment by homeowners or field staff.