An estimated 1.4 million people are exposed to formaldehyde in the workplace, and virtually the entire population comes into contact with the chemical because of its ubiquitous presence in polluted air and in consumer products. An interim report from the Chemical Industry Institute Toxicology stated that formaldehyde was carcinogenic to rats and OSHA has recommended a workplace ceiling limit of I ppm. Under pressure from environmental groups the EPA reversed its previous decision not to regulate formaldehyde. A ruling to lower the allowable exposure limit is expected shortly. This places a burden on the detection methods available today. A survey of available methods by the National Research Council concludes that "simple and reliable passive monitors ... for formaldehyde emission do not exist.... Both continuous and passive monitors are needed with sensitivities in the range of 10-30 parts per billion." The formaldehyde monitor proposed here will run unattended and automatically detect the vapor down to approximately I ppb.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: A significant market, U.S. and world wide, exists for an automatic instrument to monitor low-levels of formaldehyde for use in homes and manufacturing facilities.
