Abstract

One of the components of the study on the impact of lowering the formaldehyde standard consisted of evaluating workers’ exposure to ceiling values of this gas. A reference instrument operating by infrared and two other instruments available at the IRSST but not validated in the laboratory (namely an electrochemical cell analyzer and a colorimetric reader) were used. However, the researchers obtained readings that are difficult to explain in some environments. These results seem to be related to the presence of other organic compounds in the air. These interferences are not all specified by the manufacturers and are not extensively documented in the scientific or technical literature. This project determined in the laboratory the effects of interferences on their measurements with these instruments. A fourth instrument was added, also operating by infrared. The study resulted in a decision on the technical feasibility of measuring ceiling values of formaldehyde in relation to its concentrations, and workplaces where workers are exposed to it. The report presents the detailed results for the four instruments evaluated.