A gas-phase biosensor for environmental monitoring of formic acid: laboratory and field validation

Abstract

In order to encourage more exposure measurements to be performed, a formic acid gas-phase biosensor has been developed for this purpose. In the present paper, an enzyme based biosensor has been validated with respect to analyte selectivity and on-site use. To ensure that the sampler developed measures the compound of interest the biosensor was exposed to three near structural homologues to formic acid, i.e. acetic acid, methanol and formaldehyde. These vapours were generated with and without formic acid and the only compound that was found to have an effect on the performance of the biosensor, albeit a small one, was acetic acid. The field test was performed in a factory using formic acid-containing glue for glulam products. In parallel to the measurements with the biosensor a well defined reference method was used for sampling and analysing formic acid. It was found that the biosensor worked satisfactorily in this environment when used in a stationary position. It was also shown that the biosensor could determine formic acid vapour concentrations down to 0.03 mg m(-3).

High-Tech and Nature-Made Nanocomposites and Their Applications in the Field of Sensors and Biosensors for Gas Detection

“…One of the degradation products of formaldehyde is formic acid, whose exposition over long periods can produce long-lasting damages to the human organism. A sensor based on an SPE modified with formate dehydrogenase and coenzyme NAD + was assembled to selectively quantify formic acid down to 16 ppb, with only small interferences from acetic acid [84]. The sensor was also employed in a real environment (a factory in which formic acid-based glues were used), showing the capability to quantify the amount of formic acid in the air without suffering from interferents.…”

Detection of formaldehyde in food samples by enhanced chemiluminescence

“…11 Also, formaldehyde is formed during ozonisation of drinking water mainly by oxidation of natural organic matter, chlorination and leaching from polyacetal plastic fittings, and reports on formaldehyde detection in Chinese wines, beers, noodles and many other items have created immediate need for developing 'nonclassical' techniques for rapid and sensitive detection. 12,13 Classically, formaldehyde detection is performed by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC), [14][15][16] colorimetric methods/spectrophotometric methods, 17,18 gas chromatography, 19,20 fluorometry, 21 cataluminescence, 22 gas sensors, 23 nuclear magnetic resonance, 24 etc., whereas potentiometric methods based on immobilized formaldehyde dehydrogenase/ alcohol oxidase have also been developed. 25,26 Although these methods are advantageous, they also suffer from drawbacks and limitations as these methods are relatively slow and have very limited sensitivity, and are tedious, time consuming, and expensive.…”