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Nashua, N.H. — May 27, 2015 — Extech Instruments, makers of the best handheld test and measurement tools, announced that the Extech FM series of formaldehyde meters is being used to test ambient air in homes and businesses where laminate flooring may contain amounts of toxic formaldehyde that may not meet health and safety standards.
Sold by national retailers, the Chinese-made laminate flooring uses formaldehyde in the glue used to bind wood particles that make up the core of the boards. The product is now being scrutinized for non-compliance with formaldehyde emissions standards — by a wide margin in many cases.
Extech’s FM100, FM200, and FM300 Formaldehyde Meters offer highly precise readings of indoor air quality measuring three key factors: formaldehyde (CH2O or HCHO) concentration, air temperature (°F/°C), and relative humidity (%RH). The meters are designed for use by indoor air quality technicians, flooring installers, building renovators, public safety inspectors, and property managers, as well as consumers who want accurate formaldehyde concentration measurements.
Test indoor air quality before and after installation of laminate flooring, as well as particle board, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), plywood, oriented strand board (also known as OSB, sterling board, sterling OSB, and aspenite), and other building materials that use glues with formaldehyde.
“The intense news media attention and social media discussion of the laminate flooring in question has led to a lot of anxiety and uncertainty for homeowners and families that are seriously considering tearing out their flooring,” said Mike Fox, general manager at Extech Instruments. “Having the right tools, like Extech’s formaldehyde meters, provides hard, accurate data to determine how safe or unsafe the flooring and air quality in a person’s home really is.”
One additional challenge faced by individuals trying to determine the safety of their laminate floor boards is that environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can affect formaldehyde emissions. In fact, with the advent of warmer temperatures and higher relative humidity, building materials with formaldehyde can actually increase their emissions of the harmful organic compound
Testing for excessive emissions from these materials may help validate Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) concerns. The syndrome, suffered by office workers, teachers in schools, children and adults in their homes, and others, includes symptoms such as itchy eyes and throat, dizziness, and headaches. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde, known to be a carcinogen, can lead to more serious chronic illness.
For more information, visit www.extech.com.
