Formaldehyde Testing
With increasing regulations regarding VOCs and hazardous gases, Formaldehyde is the latest gaseous compound of concern. To meet the growing need, VTEC has global accreditation per ISO 17025 to perform Formaldehyde testing in almost any material in accordance with ASTM D6007 and ASTM E1333.
To complement these internationally required tests, VTEC also offers a complete suite of formaldehyde tests to comply with USEPA, RoHS, and ECHA protocols for VOCs and other environmental parameters. The standard turnaround time is only two weeks which will generate data quickly to meet your registration or qualification needs.
To learn more about how our formaldehyde testing services can assist your project, fill out our contact form or call us directly at 718-542-8248.
Formaldehyde Test Lab
Do you have materials you need tested for formaldehyde emissions? Formaldehyde is a compound composed of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. While every living thing produces a small amount of formaldehyde, it can have extremely harmful effects on human health with long-term exposure.
There is extensive oversight of the use of formaldehyde, led by multiple government agencies. The Department of Labor's Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) maintains standards for formaldehyde exposure in the workplace. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has standards that limit the emissions allowable from wood products meant for manufactured housing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been responsible for creating indoor air quality emission standards. Any products that use formaldehyde in their manufacture need to formaldehyde testing to ensure compliance before being used.
Common Tests for Formaldehyde
A number of standard test methods are available for evaluating formaldehyde emissions. Two of those performed at VTEC Laboratories are ASTM D6007 and ASTM E1333:
- ASTM D6007: This is the small-scale test method that establishes whether wood panel building products meet HUD standards for manufactured housing and building materials. It takes place in a chamber 0.02 to 1m3 in volume.
- ASTM E1333: This large-scale test uses a chamber of 22m3 to evaluate formaldehyde emissions, making it ideal for testing products in a range of typical sizes.
Common Products That Need Formaldehyde Testing
Formaldehyde is a cornerstone chemical used to produce a huge array of products. The following are some of the most common product categories that need to be tested for formaldehyde emissions.
Building and Construction
The most common use of formaldehyde testing is in the production of resins in wood products. Engineered or composite wood using formaldehyde-based resins can be found in nearly every element of building, including:
- Cabinets
- Countertops
- Molding
- Shelving
- Stair systems
- Flooring
- Support beams
Formaldehyde-based glues are also commonly used due to their exceptional performance.
Healthcare
Formaldehyde is a critical compound in the manufacture of vaccines, as it inactivates viruses so that they cannot cause disease. Hard-gel capsules are another essential and common product that involves formaldehyde in the manufacturing process.
Consumer Products
In consumer products, formaldehyde-releasing ingredients act as preservatives. They kill microorganisms and stop bacteria and other pathogens from growing in products, resulting in a longer shelf life.
Automobiles
Different technologies use formaldehyde to increase energy efficiency, make components more resistant to heat and make automobiles lighter. Formaldehyde-based resins can be found in molded components in the interior as well as mechanical components under the hood.
Paints and Coatings
It's becoming more common for various paints and finishing coatings to use formaldehyde to increase resistance to fungus and bacteria.
Certified Formaldehyde Testing at VTEC
If you need the services of a formaldehyde testing lab, make sure you're choosing one certified to perform these critical formaldehyde tests. VTEC Laboratories is ISO 17020, 17025 and 17065 certified and has earned a number of other accreditations. To get a quote on dependable, customized formaldehyde testing for your building materials, fill out our form online.