How to test for formaldehyde in the house
In recent years, as people's attention to indoor air quality continues to increase, formaldehyde testing has become a hot topic. Formaldehyde is a common harmful gas, mainly derived from decoration materials, furniture, coatings, etc. Long-term exposure may have serious effects on health. So, how to scientifically and effectively test the formaldehyde content in the house? This article will introduce it to you in detail.
1. The hazards of formaldehyde and the necessity of detection

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong pungent odor and is classified as a Class 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde may lead to respiratory diseases, skin allergies, and even serious diseases such as leukemia. Therefore, promptly testing the formaldehyde content in the house and taking corresponding measures are important steps to protect the health of your family.
2. Formaldehyde test method
Currently, the common formaldehyde testing methods on the market mainly include the following:
| Test method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde self-test box | Simple operation and low price | Low accuracy and easily affected by the environment | Initial home screening |
| Electronic formaldehyde detector | Display results quickly and reusable | The price is higher and requires regular calibration. | Home or small office |
| Professional organization testing | Accurate data and authoritative reporting | High cost and long cycle | New house acceptance or dispute appraisal |
3. How to choose formaldehyde testing method
When choosing a formaldehyde testing method, you need to consider comprehensively based on actual needs and budget:
1.Limited budget: You can choose a formaldehyde self-test box. Although the accuracy is not high, it can provide a preliminary reference.
2.Pursue convenience: Electronic formaldehyde detector is a good choice, which can monitor formaldehyde concentration at any time.
3.Need authoritative data: It is recommended to contact a professional testing agency to obtain a legally binding test report.
4. Precautions for formaldehyde testing
1.Test time: It is recommended to ventilate for at least 7 days after the decoration is completed before testing to ensure data accuracy.
2.test environment: Close doors and windows for more than 12 hours, keep the indoor temperature at around 25°C and the humidity at around 50%.
3.Test point: Select areas where formaldehyde is likely to accumulate, such as near furniture or in blind spots for ventilation, and set up at least one detection point in each room.
5. How to deal with excessive formaldehyde
If the test results show that formaldehyde exceeds the standard, the following measures can be taken:
| Treatment method | Effect | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Ventilation | Effective in the short term and low cost | Requires long-term persistence, the effect is poor in winter |
| Activated carbon adsorption | Effective against low concentrations of formaldehyde | Need to be replaced regularly to avoid secondary pollution |
| air purifier | Filters formaldehyde and other contaminants | Choose products with high CADR values |
| Professional governance | The effect is remarkable | Choose a regular company to avoid chemical pollution |
6. Suggestions on preventing excessive formaldehyde
1.Decoration material selection: Give priority to purchasing materials with high environmental protection grade, such as E0 grade boards, water-based paint, etc.
2.Furniture Shopping: Ventilation should be maintained after new furniture is brought in, and try to avoid a large number of new furniture being brought in at the same time.
3.plant aids: Pothos, Chlorophytum and other plants have certain formaldehyde adsorption capacity and can be used as auxiliary means.
Conclusion
Formaldehyde detection is an important part of ensuring indoor air quality. Only by testing the formaldehyde content through scientific methods and taking effective measures to reduce the formaldehyde concentration can we create a safe and healthy living environment for our families. It is recommended that owners of new homes must conduct formaldehyde testing before moving in, and residents of old homes should also pay regular attention to changes in indoor air quality.
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