Formaldehyde, VOC Testing and Air Quality Testing
303-989-6809
Formaldehyde Pricing and Service
A Healthy Home can test your house for Formaldehyde using the UMEX-100 badge. This is a high quality test method used to accurately determine Formaldehyde levels. The analysis is performed by an accredited lab.
Price $295 includes 1 UMEX-100 badge, lab analysis and shipping.
The EPA is supposed to regulate the APA, but the APA is doing its own study? It looks like in 2017 the EPA has removed its Formaldehyde regulations on prefabricated wood I-joists and other engineered lumber products.
From OSHA Formaldehyde Fact Sheet
Formaldehyde is a sensitizing agent that can cause an immune system response upon initial exposure. It is also a cancer hazard. Acute exposure is highly irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat and can make anyone exposed cough and wheeze. Subsequent exposure may cause severe allergic reactions of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Ingestion of formaldehyde can be fatal, and long-term exposure to low levels in the air or on the skin can cause asthma-like respiratory problems and skin irritation such as dermatitis and itching.
Concentrations of 100 ppm are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). Note: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) considers 20 ppm of formaldehyde to be IDLH.
The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde in the workplace is 0.75 parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (0.75 ppm) measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
The standard includes a second PEL in the form of a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 2 ppm which is the maximum exposure allowed during a 15-minute period.
The action level – which is the standard’s trigger for increased industrial hygiene monitoring and initiation of worker medical surveillance – is 0.5 ppm when calculated as an 8-hour TWA.
Provide medical surveillance for all workers exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations at or above the action level or exceeding the STEL, for those who develop signs and symptoms of overexposure, and for all workers exposed to formaldehyde in emergencies.
Concentrations of 100 ppm are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). Note: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) considers 20 ppm of formaldehyde to be IDLH.
The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde in the workplace is 0.75 parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (0.75 ppm) measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
The standard includes a second PEL in the form of a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 2 ppm which is the maximum exposure allowed during a 15-minute period.
The action level – which is the standard’s trigger for increased industrial hygiene monitoring and initiation of worker medical surveillance – is 0.5 ppm when calculated as an 8-hour TWA.
Provide medical surveillance for all workers exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations at or above the action level or exceeding the STEL, for those who develop signs and symptoms of overexposure, and for all workers exposed to formaldehyde in emergencies.
VOC, Volatile Organic Compound Testing
VOCs test - $475
Turn around time - 10 days plus shipping.
Samples are collected by evacuated stainless steel canisters, which are filled at the house, then sealed and shipped to the lab for analysis. Analysis by Test America includes over 60 VOC compounds. Analysis method “EPA TO-15” is used, which is also recommended for accessing vapor intrusion into houses or structures from fracking activities. Other sources for VOCs are paints, paint strippers, solvents, cleanser and disinfectants, air fresheners, drycleaned clothing. Some organic compounds average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. Symptoms from VOC exposure include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, skin reaction, fatigue and dizziness. Health effects from significant exposures can cause damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organic compounds can cause cancer in animals, and are suspected of causing cancer in humans. The Colorado School of Public Health has conducted studies of VOCs around fracking sites in Colorado, and has found 3 VOC compounds that are reportedly 2 to 5 times higher than federal standards allow up to a half mile from the well sites.
EPA web site - Steps to reduce VOCs in homes, along with more complete information is available at the EPA’s web site for volatile organic compounds. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
OSHA web site – VOCs are a health concern for nail salon workers. More information is available at this OSHA site. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/nailsalons/index.html
Colorado Department of public housing and environment has a fact sheet onVOCs. http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/schlage/vocfactsheet.pdf
Air Quality Testing
AQI test - $165
AQI or Air Quality Index - a simple color-coded unitless index to effectively communicate air pollution concentration. The AQI provides an indication of the quality of the air and it's expected health effects. AQI utilizes particulate counts and VOC and Formaldehyde levels to compute a AQI level.
AQI numbers (0 to 500)
1-50 Good
51-100 Moderate or Normal
101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
150-200 Unhealthy
201-300 Very Unhealthy
301-500 Hazardous
AQI or Air Quality Index - a simple color-coded unitless index to effectively communicate air pollution concentration. The AQI provides an indication of the quality of the air and it's expected health effects. AQI utilizes particulate counts and VOC and Formaldehyde levels to compute a AQI level.
AQI numbers (0 to 500)
1-50 Good
51-100 Moderate or Normal
101-150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
150-200 Unhealthy
201-300 Very Unhealthy
301-500 Hazardous