What is Formaldehyde and where is it found?
Formaldehyde has many medical and industrial applications. The ubiquitous low-molecular weight substance is volatile and can be found indoors as well as outdoors. It is found extensively in textiles as well as in building products used in commercial and residential buildings. Millions of us are unknowingly exposed to formaldehyde on a daily basis by inhalation and skin contact. Following exposure to contaminated air, the first effect is irritation of the mucous membranes of the eye and upper respiratory tract.
Our client contacted us and requested that we carry out formaldehyde gas sampling in order to ensure that themselves and their employees were not being exposed to harmful concentrations of the gas. Employees are working in close proximity to a newly installed piece of equipment called a Membrane Press. The press is equipped with a dedicated overhead extraction system and programmable delayed release to ensure sufficient extraction of contaminants from the working area.
How do we test for formaldehyde?
In order to test for formaldehyde we needed the assistance of specialist equipment called a Gastec Poston Sampler fitted with Formaldehyde 91L detection tubes. In order to get more accurate exposure results, we fitted 2 employees that were working with the membrane press with personal samplers. A further 3 samples were taken from other employees working in other areas likely to use formaldehyde containing products.
What did the formaldehyde samples reveal?
The assessment of the formaldehyde samples we collected, above and in close proximity of the Global membrane press flat bed, revealed that the average formaldehyde gas concentration was below the workplace exposure limit (WELs) for formaldehyde. Therefore employees in close proximity to the membrane press are not at risk of exposure.
The further 3 samples we took from other working areas also revealed that employees were unlikely to be exposed to concentrations of formaldehyde gas above the workplace exposure limit (WELs).
In conclusion these results all suggest that the dedicated overhead extraction system on the membrane press, along with the 30 second delayed release are adequately controlling the concentration of formaldehyde within the working environment. Therefore in order to maintain a safe working environment we recommended that all installed and newly installed equipment is serviced regularly to ensure it is working effectively. We also recommend that all employees working with such equipment receive regular training so they are aware of how the equipment works and how to use it effectively.
