Formaldehyde: the foul-smelling indoor poison
Indoors, CH₂O occurs almost exclusively as a gas, as the room temperature causes the substance to evaporate. As formaldehyde is contained in adhesives, for example, and therefore in wooden furniture, you quickly come into contact with the gas. You can recognize an increased concentration by a typical chemical smell. In order to detect even low concentrations, it is advisable to monitor the air pollutant. With an air measuring device such as the air-Q, you can detect the room air and be warned if limit values are exceeded.
How is formaldehyde produced?
Formaldehyde is formed in mammalian cells as an intermediate product of metabolism. The substance is also a completely natural component of fruit and is absorbed through food. CH₂O is also found in wood, so furniture and other wooden furnishings release small amounts of the gas. In addition, incomplete combustion and other oxidation processes of longer-chain organic substances, e.g. methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), release the gas. Formaldehyde is also emitted during smoking and thus enters the room. During industrial processes, CH₂O is produced by the so-called catalytic oxidation of methanol.
Where does formaldehyde occur indoors?
As formaldehyde is a component of adhesives, it is used in many wood-based materials and furniture. This primarily affects chipboard and plywood, which are particularly heavily contaminated with the substance and can therefore outgas it. One of the most important organic raw materials in the chemical industry is also used as a preservative and as a starting material and component for many chemical compounds in plastics. CH₂O is also water-soluble and is therefore used as an aqueous solution for preservatives and disinfectants.
Consequences of a high formaldehyde concentration
- Allergies
- Respiratory, eye & skin irritation
- Influencing memory & ability to concentrate
- Sleep disorders
- carcinogenic & mutagenic
Why should you have a formaldehyde meter at home?
Wooden furniture, cheap adhesives and other plastics emit toxic substances. Every time you breathe in, the gas enters your body and can spread. A special air measuring device such as the air-Q "Formaldehyde Special" measures formaldehyde indoors and warns you of dangerous concentrations so that you can protect yourself. If the measured value exceeds the specified limit, the air analyzer sets off an alarm and/or sends you a push notification.
Our air-Q basic "Formaldehyde Special" is available as a limited special edition at a special price until December 2023. During our Black Special promotion, you will receive a €100 discount on the air measuring device.
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