COMPARISON OF 2 SAMPLING METHODS FOR DETERMINING FORMALDEHYDE CONCENTRATIONS IN WORKPLACE AIR

Two sampling methods for formaldehyde were tested simultaneously under laboratory and workplace conditions in the institute for pathology of the University Leipzig. The first method (DFG-method) makes use of a silicagel tube to collect formaldehyde from the air. The second method (TGL-standard) consists in separating the water-soluble formaldehyde from the contaminated air. On account of the fact that the degree of desorption of formaldehyde from silicagel is 0.96, it can be stated that the formaldehyde concentrations determined by means of the two sampling methods are equivalent. The analysis of formaldehyde adsorbed on silicagel is more time consuming. However, tubes containing solid adsorbents should be used for personal sampling at workplaces where employees have to move a lot.