Formaldehyde Off-Gas Testing – Composite Wood Products 2025

Recently, there has been an increased national awareness and growing concern for formaldehyde gas being released from manufactured laminated flooring and other composite wood products. The adhesives and sealants used in many of these products may contain formaldehyde and this formaldehyde vapor can off-gas from the finished product even after it has been installed in a home. Many of these products are safety-rated to European and/or California standards for formaldehyde off-gassing levels. However, recent investigations have shown that formaldehyde off-gassing can still be of a concern from some of these products. They can even be elevated above acceptable levels that they are listed as meeting. Formaldehyde gas is highly toxic and a confirmed human carcinogen. Even at lower exposure levels, formaldehyde gas can cause eye and nasal irritation, headaches and aggravate asthma conditions. EMSL Analytical, Inc. can assist you with formaldehyde testing and analyses to help you better evaluate the potential formaldehyde hazards from your composite wood products.

Installed Composite Wood Products – (EMSL Free Formaldehyde Impinger Method)
Provide EMSL with a 2 inch by 2 inch square piece of the composite wood product and place in a sealed plastic bag. At EMSL, each sample collected is evaluated to determine the parts per million (PPM) amount of formaldehyde off-gassing concentration in the air from the composite wood product.

Note: This testing cannot be used for CARB ATCM Phase II and European product compliance. This testing can show if detectable formaldehyde levels occur from your composite wood product and can be reviewed against current formaldehyde guidelines for air concentrations and off-gassing amounts.

Air Monitoring Badge to Determine Formaldehyde Levels (NIOSH Method 2016 – EMSL Modified)

EMSL will provide you with an easy-to-use passive room sampler (air monitoring badge) to measure the formaldehyde level in your home. Ideally, you can place a badge(s) in the room(s) where the laminated floor products are installed and let it run for a 24-hour sampling period. After completion, return the used badge(s) to EMSL in the mailer provided and the lab can provide you with the formaldehyde concentration levels in PPM in your home.

Sampling media should be kept frozen until ready to use. Put the tubes back into the cooler with the ice pack for shipment. If not shipping immediately, put the tubes, cooler, and ice pack in the freezer until you are ready to ship it overnight to the lab. Per the NIOSH 2016 guidelines it states: Place end caps onto the sampler and seal sampler in an envelope. Protect samples from heat. Ship samples on ice (0 °C). Learn more by visiting: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-07/ documents/niosh-2016.pdf

Note: This testing cannot be used for OSHA, CARB, NIOSH, or EPA regulatory compliances. In addition other formaldehyde sources can be present such as household products, carpeting, furniture, and cabinetry that can contribute to the airborne formaldehyde levels. These test results can be used to establish if elevated formaldehyde levels exist in the room(s) tested.