Measurement of Formaldehyde Vapor Concentration of the Surrounding Air of a Dental Clinic

The formaldehyde vapor concentration of the surrounding air of a dental clinic was studied. The measurements were made at Division of Endodontics, Tohoku University Hospital. Total of 2 L of surrounding air was collected in 10 min using an automatic gas sampling device. The collection was carried out according to the sampling method of Working Environment Measurement Law. The concentration of formaldehyde vapor in the collected air was later estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The concentration of formaldehyde vapor of the surrounding air of the dental clinic was lower than the administrative level (0.1 ppm) of Industrial Safety and Health Law and was at an acceptable level.