Solubility of gaseous formaldehyde in liquid water and generation of trace standard gaseous formaldehyde

Methanediol from cloud-processed formaldehyde is only a minor source of atmospheric formic acid

Atmospheric formic acid is severely underpredicted by models. A recent study proposed that this discrepancy can be resolved by abundant formic acid production from the reaction (1) between hydroxyl radical and methanediol derived from in-cloud formaldehyde processing and provided a chamber-experiment-derived rate constant, k1 = 7.5 × 10-12 cm3 s-1. High-level accuracy coupled cluster calculations in combination with E,J-resolved two-dimensional master equation analyses yield k1 = (2.4 ± 0.5) × 10-12 cm3 s-1 for relevant atmospheric conditions (T = 260-310 K and P = 0-1 atm). We attribute this significant discrepancy to HCOOH formation from other molecules in the chamber experiments. More importantly, we show that reversible aqueous processes result indirectly in the equilibration on a 10 min. time scale of the gas-phase reaction [Formula: see text] (2) with a HOCH2OH to HCHO ratio of only ca. 2%. Although HOCH2OH outgassing upon cloud evaporation typically increases this ratio by a factor of 1.5-5, as determined by numerical simulations, its in-cloud reprocessing is shown using a global model to strongly limit the gas-phase sink and the resulting production of formic acid. Based on the combined findings in this work, we derive a range of 1.2-8.5 Tg/y for the global HCOOH production from cloud-derived HOCH2OH reacting with OH. The best estimate, 3.3 Tg/y, is about 30 times less than recently reported. The theoretical equilibrium constant Keq (2) determined in this work also allows us to estimate the Henry's law constant of methanediol (8.1 × 105 M atm-1 at 280 K).

Environmental formaldehyde sensing at room temperature by smartphone-assisted and wearable plasmonic nanohybrids

Formaldehyde is a toxic and carcinogenic indoor air pollutant. Promising for its routine detection are gas sensors based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Such sensors trace analytes by converting tiny changes in the local dielectric environment into easily readable, optical signals. Yet, this mechanism is inherently non-selective to volatile organic compounds (like formaldehyde) and yields rarely detection limits below parts-per-million concentrations. Here, we reveal that chemical reaction-mediated LSPR with nanohybrids of Ag/AgO_x core-shell clusters on TiO₂ enables highly selective formaldehyde sensing down to 5 parts-per-billion (ppb). Therein, AgO_x is reduced by the formaldehyde to metallic Ag resulting in strong plasmonic signal changes, as measured by UV/Vis spectroscopy and confirmed by X-ray diffraction. This interaction is highly selective to formaldehyde over other aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, aromatic compounds (as confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry), inorganics, and quite robust to relative humidity changes. Since this sensor works at room temperature, such LSPR nanohybrids are directly deposited onto flexible wristbands to quantify formaldehyde between 40-500 ppb at 50% RH, even with a widely available smartphone camera (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.998). Such chemoresponsive coatings open new avenues for wearable devices in environmental, food, health and occupational safety applications, as demonstrated by an early field test in the pathology of a local hospital.

Development of a Portable and Modular Gas Generator: Application to Formaldehyde Analysis

This work aims at developing and validating under laboratory-controlled conditions a gas mixture generation device designed for easy on-site or laboratory calibration of analytical instruments dedicated to air monitoring, such as analysers or sensors. This portable device, which has been validated for formaldehyde, is compact and is based on the diffusion of liquid formaldehyde through a short microporous interface with an air stream to reach non-Henry equilibrium gas–liquid dynamics. The geometry of the temperature-controlled assembly has been optimised to allow easy change of the aqueous solution, keeping the microporous tube straight. The formaldehyde generator has been coupled to an on-line formaldehyde analyser to monitor the gas concentration generated as a function of the liquid formaldehyde concentration, the temperature, the air gas flow rate, and the microporous tube length. Our experimental results show that the generated gaseous formaldehyde concentration increase linearly between 10 and 1740 µg m−3 with that of the aqueous solution ranging between 0 and 200 mg L−1 for all the gas flow rates studied, namely 25, 50 and 100 mL min−1. The generated gas phase concentration also increases with increasing temperature according to Henry’s law and with increasing the gas–liquid contact time either by reducing the gas flow rate from 100 to 25 mL min−1 or increasing the microporous tube length from 3.5 to 14 cm. Finally, the performances of this modular formaldehyde generator are compared and discussed with those reported in the scientific literature or commercialised by manufacturers. The technique developed here is the only one allowing to operate with a low flow rate such as 25 to 100 mL min−1 while generating a wide range of concentrations (10–1000 µg m−3) with very good accuracy.

Decontamination of Bacillus Spores with Formaldehyde Vapor under Varied Environmental Conditions

Introduction

This study investigated formaldehyde decontamination efficacy against dried Bacillus spores on porous and non-porous test surfaces, under various environmental conditions. This knowledge will help responders determine effective formaldehyde exposure parameters to decontaminate affected spaces following a biological agent release.

Methods

Prescribed masses of paraformaldehyde or formalin were sublimated or evaporated, respectively, to generate formaldehyde vapor within a bench-scale test chamber. Adsorbent cartridges were used to measure formaldehyde vapor concentrations in the chamber at pre-determined times. A validated method was used to extract the cartridges and analyze for formaldehyde via liquid chromatography. Spores of Bacillus globigii, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Bacillus anthracis were inoculated and dried onto porous bare pine wood and non-porous painted concrete material coupons. A series of tests was conducted where temperature, relative humidity, and formaldehyde concentration were varied, to determine treatment efficacy outside of conditions where this decontaminant is well-characterized (laboratory temperature and humidity and 12 mg/L theoretical formaldehyde vapor concentration) to predict decontamination efficacy in applications that may arise following a biological incident.

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). Generally, decontamination efficacy on wood was lower for all three spore types compared with painted concrete. Also, higher recoveries resulted from painted concrete compared to wood, consistent with historical data on these materials. The highest decontamination efficacies were observed on the spores subjected to the longest exposures (48 hours) on both materials, with efficacies that gradually decreased with shorter exposures. Adsorption or absorption of the formaldehyde vapor may have been a factor, especially during the low temperature trials, resulting in less available formaldehyde in the air when measured.

Conclusion

Environmental conditions affect formaldehyde concentrations in the air and thereby affect decontamination efficacy. Efficacy is also impacted by the material with which the contaminants are in contact.

Formaldehyde Analysis in Non-Aqueous Methanol Solutions by Infrared Spectroscopy and Electrospray Ionization

We present the analysis of formaldehyde (HCHO) in anhydrous methanol (CH3OH) as a case study to quantify HCHO in non-aqueous samples. At higher concentrations (C > 0.07 M), we detect a product of HCHO, methoxy methanol (MM, CH3OCH2OH), by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR. Formaldehyde reacts with CH3OH, CD3OH, and CD3OD as shown by FTIR with a characteristic spectral feature around 1,195 cm-1 for CH3OH used for the qualitative detection of MM, a formaldehyde derivative in neat methanol. Ab initio calculations support this assignment. The extinction coefficient for 1,195 cm-1 is in the order of 1.4 × 102 M-1cm-1, which makes the detection limit by FTIR in the order of 0.07 M. For lower concentrations, we performed the quantitative analysis of non-aqueous samples by derivatization with dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The derivatization uses an aqueous H2SO4 solution to yield the formaldehyde derivatized hydrazone. Ba(OH)2 removes sulfate ions from the derivatized samples and a final extraction with isobutyl acetate to yield a 1:1 methanol: isobutyl acetate solvent for injection for electrospray ionization (ESI). The ESI analysis gave a linear calibration curve for concentrations from 10 to 200 µM with a time-of-flight analyzer (TOF). The detection and quantification limits are 7.8 and 26 μM, respectively, for a linear correlation with R 2 > 0.99. We propose that the formaldehyde in CH3OH is in equilibrium with the MM species, without evidence of HCHO in solution. In the presence of water, the peaks for MM become less resolved, as expected from the well-known equilibria of HCHO that favors the formation of methylene glycol and polymeric species. Our results show that HCHO, in methanol does not exist in the aldehyde form as the main chemical species. Still, HCHO is in equilibrium between the production of MM and the formation of hydrated species in the presence of water. We demonstrate the ESI-MS analysis of HCHO from a non-aqueous TiO2 suspension in methanol. Detection of HCHO after illumination of the colloid indicates that methanol photooxidation yields formaldehyde in equilibrium with the solvent.

An Upgrade of Apparatus and Measurement Systems for Generation of Gaseous Formaldehyde: A Review

Formaldehyde (FA) is ubiquitous in the atmospheric environment. It is generally the dominant atmospheric carbonyl compound. Due to its well-known carcinogenicity, FA is a compound that arises the attention in the scientific community. In studies concerning the toxicological effects of FA on humans, animals, and the environment, testing and calibration of air sampling systems and analytical instruments are pivotal. Therefore, the preparation of controllable standard gaseous atmospheres containing FA at levels known with precision and accuracy is essential. This review summarizes the procedures for generating the FA atmosphere, given that operative solutions have been evolving recently. Furthermore, an overview on the available system to collect and store gaseous standard is reported. The progressively implemented FA generation techniques, together with commercially-available instruments, are herein described, classified, and compared.

Volatilome of Aleppo Pine litter over decomposition process

Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC) are largely accepted to contribute to both atmospheric chemistry and ecosystem functioning. While the forest canopy is recognized as a major source of BVOC, emissions from plant litter have scarcely been explored with just a couple of studies being focused on emission patterns over litter decomposition process. The aim of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively characterize BVOC emissions (C1-C15) from Pinus halepensis litter, one of the major Mediterranean conifer species, over a 15-month litter decomposition experiment. Senescent needles of P. halepensis were collected and placed in 42 litterbags where they underwent in situ decomposition. Litterbags were collected every 3 months and litter BVOC emissions were studied in vitro using both online (PTR-ToF-MS) and offline analyses (GC-MS). Results showed a large diversity of BVOC (58 compounds detected), with a strong variation over time. Maximum total BVOC emissions were observed after 3 months of decomposition with 9.18 µg gDM -1 hr-1 mainly composed by terpene emissions (e.g., α-pinene, terpinolene, β-caryophyllene). At this stage, methanol, acetone, and acetic acid were the most important nonterpenic volatiles representing, respectively, up to 26%, 10%, and 26% of total emissions. This study gives an overview of the evolution of BVOC emissions from litter along with decomposition process and will thus contribute to better understand the dynamics and sources of BVOC emission in Mediterranean pine forests.

Recent advances in selective formaldehyde detection in biological and environmental samples by fluorometric and colorimetric chemodosimeters

Formaldehyde, a highly reactive carbonyl species, has been widely used in day-to-day life owing to its numerous applications in essential commodities, etc.; the extrusion of formaldehyde from these sources basically leads to increased formaldehyde levels in the environment. Additionally, formaldehyde is endogenously produced in the human body via several biological processes. Considering the adverse effects of formaldehyde, it is highly important to develop an efficient and reliable method for monitoring formaldehyde in environmental and biological samples. Several chemodosimeters (reaction-based sensing probes) have been designed and synthesized to selectively detect the presence of formaldehyde utilizing the photophysical properties of molecules. In this review, we have comprehensively discussed the recent advances in the design principles and sensing mechanisms of developed probes and their biological/environmental applications in selective formaldehyde detection and imaging endogenous formaldehyde in cells. We have summarized the literature based on three different categories: (i) the Schiff base reaction, (ii) the 2-aza-Cope sigmatropic rearrangement reaction and (iii) miscellaneous approaches. In all cases, reactions are accompanied by changes in color and/or emission that can be detected by the naked eye.

Formaldehyde Vapor Characteristics in Varied Decontamination Environments

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 after 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 predetermined times. A validated method was used to extract the cartridges and analyze for formaldehyde via liquid chromatography. In addition, 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 areas 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 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

This work has shown that environmental variables and surface-to-volume ratios in the decontaminated space may affect the availability of formaldehyde in the air and, therefore, may affect decontamination effectiveness.

Decontamination of Bacillus Spores with Formaldehyde Vapor Under Varied Environmental Conditions

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 after 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 predetermined times. A validated method was used to extract the cartridges and analyze for formaldehyde via liquid chromatography. In addition, material demand for the formaldehyde was evaluated by inclusion of arrays of Plexiglas panels in the test chamber to determine the effect of varied surface areas 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 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:

This work has shown that environmental variables and surface-to-volume ratios in the decontaminated space may affect the availability of formaldehyde in the air and, therefore, may affect decontamination effectiveness.

Formaldehyde Vapor Characteristics in Varied Decontamination Environments

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 after 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 predetermined times. A validated method was used to extract the cartridges and analyze for formaldehyde via liquid chromatography. In addition, 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 areas 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 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:

This work has shown that environmental variables and surface-to-volume ratios in the decontaminated space may affect the availability of formaldehyde in the air and, therefore, may affect decontamination effectiveness.

Colorimetric Visualization Using Polymeric Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Enhanced Sensitivity for Formaldehyde Gas Sensors

Although equipment-based gas sensor systems (e.g., high-performance liquid chromatography) have been widely applied for formaldehyde gas detection, pre-treatment and expensive instrumentation are required. To overcome these disadvantages, we developed a colorimetric sensor based on polymer-based core–shell nanoparticles (PCSNPs), which are inexpensive, stable, and exhibit enhanced selectivity. Spherical and uniform poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PSMA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) core–shell nanoparticles were prepared and then impregnated with Methyl Red (MR), Bromocresol Purple (BCP), or 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to construct colorimetric sensors for formaldehyde gas. The intrinsic properties of these dyes were maintained when introduced into the PCSNPs. In the presence of formaldehyde, the MR, BCP, and 4-NP colorimetric sensors changed to yellow, red, and gray, respectively. The colorimetric response was maximized at a PEI/PSMA ratio of four, likely owing to the high content of amine groups. Effective formaldehyde gas detection was achieved at a relative humidity of 30% using the MR colorimetric sensor, which exhibited a large color change (92%) in 1 min. Advantageously, this stable sensor allowed sensitive and rapid naked-eye detection of low formaldehyde concentrations (0.5 ppm). Hence, this approach is promising for real-time formaldehyde gas visualization and can also be adapted to other colorimetric gas sensor systems to improve sensitivity and simplicity.

A Self-Powered Biosensor with a Flake Electrochromic Display for Electrochemical and Colorimetric Formaldehyde Detection

The formaldehyde biosensors with the features of cost effectiveness, high specificity, easy operation, and simplicity are urgently desired in routing and field detection of formaldehyde. Here, we report a new design of an enzymatic self-powered biosensor (ESPB) toward formaldehyde detection. The ESPB involves a formaldehyde dehydrogenase/poly-methylene green/buckypaper bioanode as the sensing electrode and a Prussian blue/Au nanoparticles/carbon fiber paper cathode as the electrochromic display. Formaldehyde acts as the fuel to drive the ESPB, relying on that the concentration of formaldehyde can be determined with the ESPB by both directly measuring the variance in short circuit current and observing the color change of the cathode. By measuring the variance in short circuit current, a linear detection range from 0.01 to 0.35 mM and a calculated detection limit of 0.006 mM are obtained, comparable to or better than those reported before. The color change of the cathode can be distinguished easily and exactly via the naked eye after immersing the ESPB in formaldehyde solution for 90 s with the concentration up to 0.35 mM, covering the permissive level of formaldehyde in some standards associated with environmental quality control. Specially, the formaldehyde concentration can be precisely quantified by analyzing the color change of the cathode digitally using the equation of B/(R + G + B). In the following test of real spiked samples of tap water and lake water, the recovery ratios of formaldehyde with the concentrations from 0.010 to 0.045 mM are tested to be between 95 and 100% by both measuring the variance in short circuit current and analyzing the color change of the cathode digitally. In addition, the ESPB exhibits negligible interference from acetaldehyde and ethanol and can be stored at 4 °C for 21 days with a loss of less than 8% in its initial value of short circuit current. Therefore, the ESPB with the capability of working like disposable test paper can be expected as a sensitive, simple, rapid, cost-effective colorimetric method with high selectivity in routing and field formaldehyde detection.

A New Environmentally-Friendly Colorimetric Probe for Formaldehyde Gas Detection under Real Conditions

A new environmentally-friendly, simple, selective and sensitive probe for detecting formaldehyde, based on naturally-occurring compounds, through either colorimetric or fluorescence changes, is described. The probe is able to detect formaldehyde in both solution and the gas phase with limits of detection of 0.24 mM and 0.7 ppm, respectively. The probe has been tested to study formaldehyde emission in contaminated real atmospheres. The supported probe is easy to use and to dispose, and is safe and suitable as an individual chemodosimeter.

Smartphone-Based Microfluidic Colorimetric Sensor for Gaseous Formaldehyde Determination with High Sensitivity and Selectivity

Formaldehyde is one of the most dangerous air pollutants, which can cause sick building syndrome. Thus, it is very crucial to precisely determine formaldehyde with a low cost and simple operation. In this paper, a smartphone-based microfluidic colorimetric sensor is devised for gaseous formaldehyde determination with high sensitivity and selectivity. Specifically, a novel microfluidic chip is proposed based on the 4-aminohydrazine-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (AHMT) method to determine formaldehyde; the chip consists of two reagent reservoirs, one reaction reservoir and a mixing column. In this design to prevent the fluid from flowing out while letting the gas molecule in, a hydrophobic porous poly tetra fluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane is put on the top of the reaction reservoir. Using the microfluidic chip sensor, a smartphone-based formaldehyde determination system is developed, which makes the measuring process automated and simple. As per the experiment results, the limit-of-detection (LOD) of the system is as low as 0.01 ppm, which is much lower than the maximum exposure concentration (0.08 ppm) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, the sensor is hardly affected by acetaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or acidic-alkaline, which shows great selectivity. Finally, the performance of the proposed sensor is verified by using it for the determination of formaldehyde in a newly decorated house.

Nanometer-Thick Newton Black Film for Selective Formaldehyde Gas Detection

A fluorescence spectroscopic assay using Newton black film (NBF) for sensitive and selective detection of gaseous formaldehyde at room temperature is reported. The method relies on the Hantzsch reaction of formaldehyde with ammonium citrate and acetylacetone, plus a combination of the large surface area-to-volume ratio (5 × 10⁸ m^-1) and efficient uptake of gas by the nanometer-thick aqueous core of NBF. The assay has a limit of detection (LOD) of 4 ppb, a linear signal-to-concentration correlation up to 300 ppb of HCHO gas in the air, and a nonlinear monotonic increasing correlation in the range of 300 ppb to 1.2 ppm. It is unaffected by relevant analytes such as acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, acetone, and propionaldehyde. We also demonstrate the sensing of formaldehyde outgassing from a plywood sample using this method and the results agree with the factory specifications.

A novel microbial fuel cell sensor with a gas diffusion biocathode sensing element for water and air quality monitoring

Toxicity monitoring is essential for the protection of public health and ecological safety. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) sensors demonstrated good potential in toxicity monitoring, but current MFC sensors can only be used for anaerobic water monitoring. In this study, a novel gas diffusion (GD)-biocathode sensing element was fabricated using a simple method. The GD-biocathode MFC sensor can directly be used for formaldehyde detection (from 0.0005% to 0.005%) in both aerobic and anaerobic water bodies. Electrochemical analysis indicated that the response by the sensor was caused by the toxic inhibition to the microbial activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This study for the first time demonstrated that the GD-biocathode MFC sensor has a detection limit of 20 ppm for formaldehyde and can be used to monitor air pollution. Selective sensitivity to formaldehyde was not achieved as the result of using a mixed-culture, which confirms that it can serve as a generic biosensor for monitoring gaseous pollutants. This study expands the realm of knowledge for MFC sensor applications.

Identification of Di(oxymethylene)glycol in the Raman Spectrum of Formaldehyde Aqueous Solutions by ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Quantum Chemistry Calculations

Di(oxymethylene)glycol forms in formaldehyde aqueous solutions by polymerization of methanediol. The structure and hydrogen bond interactions of di(oxymethylene)glycol with water were characterized by performing Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations. The anharmonic vibrational frequencies of di(oxymethylene)glycol in solution were determined with ab initio calculations considering explicitly the hydrogen-bonded water molecules, while other interactions with solvent were described within a polarizable continuum model approach. The calculations allow for a detailed interpretation of the experimental Raman spectrum of formaldehyde aqueous solutions, leading to the assignment of the band at 920 cm(-1) to the symmetric CO stretching mode of di(oxymethylene)glycol.

Henry's law constant and overall mass transfer coefficient for formaldehyde emission from small water pools under simulated indoor environmental conditions

The Henry's law constant (HLC) and the overall mass transfer coefficient are both important parameters for modeling formaldehyde emissions from aqueous solutions. In this work, the apparent HLCs for formaldehyde aqueous solutions were determined in the concentration range from 0.01% to 1% (w/w) and at different temperatures (23, 40, and 55 °C) by a static headspace extraction method. The aqueous solutions tested included formaldehyde in water, formaldehyde-water with nonionic surfactant Tergitol NP-9, and formaldehyde-water with anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate. Overall, the measured HLCs ranged from 8.33 × 10(-6) to 1.12 × 10(-4) (gas-concentration/aqueous-concentration, dimensionless). Fourteen small-chamber tests were conducted with formaldehyde solutions in small pools. By applying the measured HLCs, the formaldehyde overall liquid-phase mass transfer coefficients (KOLs) were determined to be in the range of 8.12 × 10(-5) to 2.30 × 10(-4) m/h, and the overall gas-phase mass transfer coefficients were between 2.84 and 13.4 m/h. The influences of the formaldehyde concentration, temperature, agitation rate, and surfactant on HLC and KOL were investigated. This study provides useful data to support source modeling for indoor formaldehyde originating from the use of household products that contain formaldehyde-releasing biocides.

Formaldehyde content of atmospheric aerosol

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a highly soluble polar molecule with a large sticking coefficient and thus likely exists in both gaseous and particulate forms. Few studies, however, address particulate HCHO (HCHO(p)). Some report that HCHO(p) concentrations (obtained only with long duration sampling) are very low. The lack of data partly reflects the difficulty of specifically measuring HCHO(p). Long duration filter sampling may not produce meaningful results for a variety of reasons. In this work, gaseous HCHO (HCHO(g)) and (HCHO(p)) were, respectively, collected with a parallel plate wet denuder (PPWD) followed by a mist chamber/hydrophilic filter particle collector (PC). The PPWD quantitatively removed HCHO(g) and the PC then collected the transmitted aerosol. The collected HCHO from either device was alternately analyzed by Hantzsch reaction-based continuous flow fluorometry. Each gas and particle phase measurement took 5 min each, with a 10 min cycle. The limits of detection were 0.048 and 0.0033 μg m(-3), respectively, for HCHO(g) and HCHO(p). The instrument was deployed in three separate campaigns in a forest station in western Japan in March, May, and July of 2013. Based on 1296 data pairs, HCHO(p), was on the average, 5% of the total HCHO. Strong diurnal patterns were observed, with the HCHO(p) fraction peaking in the morning. The relative humidity dependence of the partition strongly suggests that it is driven by the liquid water content of the aerosol phase. However, HCHO(p) was 100× greater than that expected from Henry's law. We propose that the low water activity in the highly saline droplets lead to HCHO oligomerization.

Formaldehyde gas sensors: a review

Many methods based on spectrophotometric, fluorometric, piezoresistive, amperometric or conductive measurements have been proposed for detecting the concentration of formaldehyde in air. However, conventional formaldehyde measurement systems are bulky and expensive and require the services of highly-trained operators. Accordingly, the emergence of sophisticated technologies in recent years has prompted the development of many microscale gaseous formaldehyde detection systems. Besides their compact size, such devices have many other advantages over their macroscale counterparts, including a real-time response, a more straightforward operation, lower power consumption, and the potential for low-cost batch production. This paper commences by providing a high level overview of the formaldehyde gas sensing field and then describes some of the more significant real-time sensors presented in the literature over the past 10 years or so.

Mobile monitoring along a street canyon and stationary forest air monitoring of formaldehyde by means of a micro-gas analysis system

A micro-gas analysis system (μGAS) was developed for mobile monitoring and continuous measurements of atmospheric HCHO. HCHO gas was trapped into an absorbing/reaction solution continuously using a microchannel scrubber in which the microchannels were patterned in a honeycomb structure to form a wide absorbing area with a thin absorbing solution layer. Fluorescence was monitored after reaction of the collected HCHO with 2,4-pentanedione (PD) in the presence of acetic acid/ammonium acetate. The system was portable, battery-driven, highly sensitive (limit of detection = 0.01 ppbv) and had good time resolution (response time 50 s). The results revealed that the PD chemistry was subject to interference from O(3). The mechanism of this interference was investigated and the problem was addressed by incorporating a wet denuder. Mobile monitoring was performed along traffic roads, and elevated HCHO levels in a street canyon were evident upon mapping of the obtained data. The system was also applied to stationary monitoring in a forest in which HCHO formed naturally via reaction of biogenic compounds with oxidants. Concentrations of a few ppbv-HCHO and several-tens of ppbv of O(3) were then simultaneously monitored with the μGAS in forest air monitoring campaigns. The obtained 1 h average data were compared with those obtained by 1 h impinger collection and offsite GC-MS analysis after derivatization with o-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine (PFBOA). From the obtained data in the forest, daily variations of chemical HCHO production and loss are discussed.

Rapid nondestructive spectrometric measurement of temperature-dependent gas-liquid solubility equilibria

Gas-liquid solubility equilibria (Henry's Law behavior) are of basic interest to many different areas. Temperature-dependent aqueous solubilities of various organic compounds are of fundamental importance in many branches of environmental science. In a number of situations, the gas/dissolved solute of interest has characteristic spectroscopic absorption that is distinct from that of the solvent. For such cases, we report facile nondestructive rapid measurement of the temperature-dependent Henry's law constant (K(H)) in a static sealed spectrometric cell. Combined with a special cell design, multiwavelength measurement permits a large range of K(H) to be spanned. It is possible to derive the K(H) values from the absorbance measured in the gas phase only, the liquid phase only (preferred), and both phases. Underlying principles are developed, and all three approaches are illustrated for a solute like acetone in water. A thermostatic spectrophotometer cell compartment, widely used and available, facilitates rapid temperature changes and allows rapid temperature-dependent equilibrium measurements. Applicability is shown for both acetone and methyl isobutyl ketone. Very little sample is required for the measurement; the K(H) for 4-hydroxynonenal, a marker for oxidative stress, is measured to be 56.9 ± 2.6 M/atm (n = 3) at 37.4 °C with 1 mg of the material available.

Temperature dependence of Henry's law constant for hydrogen cyanide. Generation of trace standard gaseous hydrogen cyanide

Primary data for the temperature dependent solubility of HCN in water do not presently exist for low concentrations of HCN at environmentally or physiologically relevant temperatures. Henry's Law constant (K(H), M/atm) for the vapor-solution equilibrium of HCN was determined in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer (adjusted to pH 9.00 +/- 0.03 at 296.6 +/- 0.1 K) from 287-311 K. Stable gas phase concentrations of HCN are generated by established techniques, via air equilibration of aqueous cyanide partitioned by a microporous membrane. The effluent gaseous HCN, in equilibrium with the constant temperature aqueous cyanide, was collected in dilute NaOH and determined by a spectrophotometrically using cobinamide. The K(H) of HCN may be expressed as ln K(H) (M/atm) = (8205.7 +/- 341.9)/T - (25.323 +/- 1.144); r(2) = 0.9914) where T is the absolute temperature in K. This corresponds to 9.02 and 3.00 M/atm at 25 and 37.4 degrees C, respectively, compared to actual measurements of 9.86 and 3.22 at 25.0 and 37.8 degrees C, respectively. The technique also allows for convenient generation of trace levels of HCN at ppbv-ppmv levels that can be further diluted.

Cross determination of the vapor liquid equilibrium of formaldehyde aqueous solutions by quadrupole mass spectrometry and infrared diode laser spectroscopy

Quantitative measurements of the partial vapor pressure of formaldehyde are performed above aqueous H2CO solutions of different concentrations (from 10(-5) to 0.3 molar fraction) using mass spectrometry and IR diode laser spectroscopy. Both experimental techniques allow direct probing of the gas phase concentration collected at equilibrium above the aqueous solutions. A correlation is observed between the polymerization processes occurring in the solution and the partial pressure of H2CO measured at vapor liquid equilibrium (VLE). A similar correlation is observed from total pressure measurements for which the equilibrium vapor pressure decreases as [VLE XH2CO]liq is increased. A saturation regime of the H2CO partial pressure is reached as the dissolved fraction of formaldehyde increases above approximately 0.15 mol frac. Henry's law constants are derived at 295K for the diluted solutions.

Amperometric Enzyme-based Gas Sensor for Formaldehyde: Impact of Possible Interferences

In this work, cross-sensitivities and environmental influences on the sensitivity and the functionality of an enzyme-based amperometric sensor system for the direct detection of formaldehyde from the gas phase are studied. The sensor shows a linear response curve for formaldehyde in the tested range (0 - 15 vppm) with a sensitivity of 1.9 μA/ppm and a detection limit of about 130 ppb. Cross-sensitivities by environmental gases like CO₂, CO, NO, H₂, and vapors of organic solvents like methanol and ethanol are evaluated as well as temperature and humidity influences on the sensor system. The sensor showed neither significant signal to CO, H₂, methanol or ethanol nor to variations in the humidity of the test gas. As expected, temperature variations had the biggest influence on the sensor sensitivity with variations in the sensor signal of up to 10 % of the signal for 5 vppm CH₂O in the range of 25 - 30 °C.

Robust hybrid flow analyzer for formaldehyde

We report fully automated self-calibrating formaldehyde analyzers relying on a hybrid flow format and include operational scheme and design details. Long-term operation is made possible with the use of syringe pumps. Four identical analyzers were built and showed low LODs of 120 pptv or better (S/N = 3) and good linearity over 0-50 ppbv HCHO concentration range (r2 > 0.9960), all concentrations refer to 10 min averaging times. The analyzer can resume normal operation after shortterm power failure with at most two cycles of data loss following restart. Good agreement between analyzers was observed for either indoor or outdoor measurements. The use of an integrated HCHO calibration source and full control by the host computer via a graphical user interface program enables the instrument to switch between zero, calibration, and sampling modes in a programmed automated manner. Detailed field data from deployment in three urban Texas locations from the summer of 2006 are presented. Features of the data, including an episode in which the HCHO concentration exceeded 50 ppbv, the highest reported ambient HCHO concentration in North America to our knowledge, are discussed in some detail.

Determination of Henry's law constant of formaldehyde as a function of temperature: application to air-water exchange in Tahtali Lake in Izmir, Turkey

The Henry's law constant (H) is an important parameter in predicting the transport, behavior and fate of organic compounds in environment. H is also required to model the air-water exchange of chemicals. Henry's law constant of formaldehyde (HCHO) was determined at six temperatures (50, 40, 30, 20, 10, and 5 degrees C) using a bubble-column technique. The apparent Henrys law constant (H*) values were strongly correlated to inverse of temperature (1/T, K) and the following relationship was obtained: In H* = (-1,641.3/T)-3.089. Seven concurrent ambient air and aqueous samples were also collected between October 11-17, 2005 at a sampling site located on the shoreline of Tahtali dam Lake in Izmir, Turkey to determine the magnitude and direction (deposition or gas-out) of HCHO flux. In all cases, the modeled gas-phase flux was positive (average +/- SD, 3,181 +/- 408 microg m(-2) day(-1)) indicating that atmospheric HCHO deposited to the Tahtali Lake.

On-line detection of atmospheric formaldehyde by a conductometric biosensor

Atmospheric formaldehyde (CH(2)O) was detected under continuous flow conditions by an on-line system comprising of a wet scrubber for a continuous transfer of the pollutant to an aqueous solution, a micro-reactor containing immobilized formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FDH) and a conductometric transducer. By this system atmospheric formaldehyde concentrations in the range 0.05-2 ppm were detected with a sensitivity of 20 microS/ppm. In this concentration range the immobilized enzyme oxidized all the sampled formaldehyde molecules to formic acid, avoiding cumbersome calibration procedures. The operational stability of the biosensor was at least 3 months, working continuously 10 h/day at room temperature.

Effect of carbonate salts on the kinetics of acid-catalyzed dimerization of adefovir dipivoxil

PURPOSE

The chemical stability and product(s) distribution of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) was examined in the presence of soluble and insoluble carbonate salts.

METHODS

Chemical stability of ADV in the solid state at 60 degrees C/30% RH was examined. Stability was also examined in the presence of excess formaldehyde vapor at 23 degrees C/53% RH. ADV and its degradation product(s) were determined by reverse phase HPLC.

RESULTS

Addition of aqueous soluble carbonate salts, such as sodium carbonate, compromised the stability of ADV in solid state. However, aqueous insoluble carbonates, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, enhanced the stability of ADV as compared to the control formulation. Pivalic acid, a degradation product of ADV, was shown to accelerate the degradation rate of ADV in solid state. The de-stabilizing effect of this acid on ADV stability was diminished in the presence of magnesium carbonate. Pivalic acid also increased the rate at which ADV dimers were formed in the presence of formaldehyde vapor. Addition of insoluble carbonates reduced the rate of formaldehyde-catalyzed dimerization of ADV.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of insoluble carbonate salts decreased the rate of degradation of ADV by minimizing the extent of formaldehyde-catalyzed dimerization in solid state.