Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:28:36 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: tanis.marquette**At_Symbol_Here**HEXION.COM
Subject: Re: Formaldehyde filtration
In-Reply-To: <2D10722CDD332D4B8D9E287332F92B963A296FD008**At_Symbol_Here**MBCLUSTER.xchange.nist.gov>
After discussion with our laboratory manager, this was his response.  Hope
this is helpful......

We use Purafil products to scrub formaldehyde out of our lab air.  We
started using Purafil Chemisorbant Media at first, but then switched to
Purafil Odoroxidant SP Media.  The reason is that the SP has about 3 times
as much scrubbing capacity per pound.  Also the Chemisorbant is about
$4/lb, while the Odoroxidant SP is about $5/lb.  A lot more bang for the
buck -- and we certainly need this in our lab, since we are running the lab
air system 24/365.  Using Purafil, the average background level of
formaldehyde in our lab is 1 part per billion (ppb), and the highest
individual measurement over the last year was 3 ppb.

The nearest local Purafil distributor for Boulder Colorado is in Denver,
CO:

      Super Tech Filter       Phone:  303-936-0500
      2650 West 2nd Ave., #11
      Denver  CO    80219

Tanis Marquette
Technical Compliance Manager
Hexion Specialty Chemicals
Columbus OHIO  614-225-3458



                                                                           
             "Ringen, Sonja                                                
             G."                                                           
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                                  [DCHAS-L] Formaldehyde filtration   
                                                                           
                                                                           
             04/28/2010 06:10                                              
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We have a researcher who would like to occasionally vent small quantities
(micrograms/cubic meter; maybe less) of formaldehyde from a vessel being
developed to measure greenhouse gases.  Because the vessel sits on a laser
table, and there is no fume hood in the laboratory, we are hesitant to tell
him to vent it into the room (especially since the building is old and
there is very little turnover of the air in the room).  IĠd like to find a
filter for the exhaust before it goes outside, but have had trouble finding
an effective filter.  I know that activated charcoal is not very effective
for such a small molecule.

What do you use to filter formaldehyde from exhaust?

Sonja Ringen
Office of Safety, Health and Environment
NIST/Boulder
325 Broadway, MC 173.02
Boulder, CO  80305

Phone: 303.497.7389
Mobile: 303.961.9251

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