Formaldehyde is a chemical that is used abundantly in a large number of industries and found in many consumer products. At room temperature, it is a colourless, flammable gas and highly reactive. Formaldehyde is found in the environment, it is released through biomass combustion (e.g. forest fires) or biomass decomposition. Other combustion processes (power plants, incineration, etc.) also represent sources of formaldehyde emissions in the atmosphere. However, formaldehyde is also extensively produced industrially worldwide for use in the manufacture of resins, as a disinfectant and fixative, or as a preservative in consumer products. Background levels of formaldehyde in food products are variable and range from values below 1 mg/kg in milk to over 200 mg/kg in some fish species.1 Due to its toxicity and its widespread use, exposure to formaldehyde is a significant consideration for human health.
The Formaldehyde Assay Kit (K-FRHYD) is a simple, reliable and accurate method for the measurement and analysis of formaldehyde in a variety of sample types including environmental samples and food.