Citation:

Choi, Y., M. Sunderman, M. McCauley, Z. Willenberg, Joe Wood, S. Serre, L. Mickelsen, S. Willison, R. Rupert, J. Muniz-Ortiz, S. Casey, AND W. Calfee. Formaldehyde Vapor Characteristics in Varied Decontamination Environments. Applied Biosafety. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Larchmont, NY, 26(1):33-41, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1089/apb.21.926968

Impact/Purpose:

This study is describing the impacts of environmental conditions on formaldehyde air concentrations during decontamination operations.

Description:

Introduction. This effort investigated formaldehyde vapor characteristics under various environmental conditions by the analyses of air samples collected over a time-course. This knowledge will help responders achieve desired formaldehyde exposure parameters for decontamination of affected spaces following a biological contamination incident. Methods. Prescribed masses of paraformaldehyde and formalin were sublimated or evaporated, respectively, to generate formaldehyde vapor. Adsorbent cartridges were used to collect air samples from the test chamber at pre-determined times. A validated method was used to extract the cartridges and analyze for formaldehyde via liquid chromatography. Additionally, material demand for the formaldehyde was evaluated by inclusion of arrays of Plexiglas panels in the test chamber to determine the impact of varied surface area within the test chamber. Temperature was controlled with a circulating water bath connected to a radiator and fan inside the chamber. Relative humidity was controlled with humidity fixed point salt solutions and water vapor generated from evaporated water. Results. Low temperature trials (approximately 10°C) resulted in decreased formaldehyde air concentrations throughout the 48-hour time-course when compared with formaldehyde concentrations collected in the ambient temperature trials (approximately 22°C). The addition of clear Plexiglas panels to increase the surface area of the test chamber interior resulted in appreciable decreases of formaldehyde air concentration when compared to an empty test chamber. Conclusion. Formaldehyde gas concentrations in the air are affected by the environmental conditions and materials inside an enclosure. Since decontamination is dependent on the concentration of the fumigant and its contact time, this work has shown that environmental variables and surface to volume ratios in the decontaminated space may impact the availability of formaldehyde in the air, and further testing is needed to supplement existing data.

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