"REDFOR 18-19" REDFOR - RESEARCH IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE REDUCTION OF FORMALDEHYDE EMISSIONS DESCRIPTION Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound with proven carcinogenic properties for humans. Although naturally present in the atmosphere, man-made emissions of this compound can endanger health. That is why, from various laws, the reduction of these emissions is proposed until obtaining a zero formaldehyde environmental concentration. At this point it is raised whether it is possible to reach that level of formaldehyde with current technological development. For this reason, we will work to study how different factors affect the emission of this aldehyde, being remarkable that it is one of the basic chemical compounds, with a widespread use and difficult replacement, and with a wide presence in the sector of boards derived from wood, in the hospital field and in textile products. The study of the different regulations is a key piece to carry out the project. Knowing the methods used in the measurement of formaldehyde, one can work in order to determine the limit concentrations that can be detected and quantified accurately and reliably. During the development of the project it will also be determined what factors may affect the increase in the concentration of formaldehyde. To do this, through the different work packages, we will try, on the one hand, to know and improve the best methods for determining the concentration of environmental formaldehyde, and on the other, to evaluate the lower value than it should be taken into account several factors, such as the difference between natural and anthropogenic emissions. Formaldehyde sensors will also be developed, using the different strategies that are currently being studied by different research groups and evaluating their response at concentrations close to the established legal limits. OBJECTIVES The objective of this project is to conduct a study and characterization of formaldehyde emissions into the atmosphere, due to the tightening of current legislation both nationally and internationally. This legislative tightening is linked to the difficulty of reducing formaldehyde levels in the industry, given that the solution to the reduction of formaldehyde emissions is one of the current technological challenges. At the same time, it is sought to increase the knowledge of the analytical techniques for the determination of formaldehyde emissions, which will be used to obtain an evaluation of atmospheric formaldehyde concentration levels in different environments, taking into account the anthropogenic and biogenic influence. Another objective will be the determination of the levels of formaldehyde emission of virgin wood and the resins used in the manufacture of wood-derived boards, since this industry is one of those that has been most affected by the changes Legislative of recent years. Finally, sensors of low formaldehyde concentrations will be developed by assessing the feasibility and detection limits of alternative chemical sensors for the determination of formaldehyde emissions, which are being studied by different research groups (among which are the University of Valencia). The specific objectives of the project are the following: - Evaluation and optimization of the limits of detection and quantification of the methods used in the emission of formaldehyde - The measurement of atmospheric formaldehyde concentration in different environments. - Evaluation of the influence on the formaldehyde emission of raw materials from wood-derived boards - Development of alternative chemical sensors for the determination of formaldehyde emissions - Reduction of formaldehyde emissions from wood products to natural limits Project Number: 21800030 Grant Agreement: IMDEEA / 2018/11 Duration: From 01/03/2018 to 30/06/2019 Coordinated in AIDIMME by: RODRIGUEZ ABAD, PABLO R&D Line: ADVANCED MATERIALS APPLICATIONS RESULTS OBTAINED Year 2018: Formaldehyde is one of the compounds that is of most concern when we refer to air quality due to its carcinogenic nature. With different legislation trying to reduce its concentration in the air, ways are being sought to reduce emissions, both at the indoor and outdoor air level. For this reason, we have first addressed the search for the different legislation that exists on the control of this compound, both national and international, focusing on the wood sector, where the resins used to make up the boards that we use everyday life in our homes have a significant amount of formaldehyde susceptible to being emitted. On the other hand, given that different legislations try to reduce the emissions of this compound to a minimum, the aim is to verify to what extent current analysis methods are capable of quantifying these low concentrations. After determining the targets in certain formaldehyde emission analysis methods, the detection and quantification limits in the analysis of formaldehyde emission have been verified. This marks the first step towards greater understanding of the minimum quantification values ​​under experimental conditions. Deliverables:    PUBLISHED NEWS general broadcast http://actualidad.aidimme.es/2018/07/26/aidimme-conocimi (...) http://actualidad.aidimme.es/2018/09/20/investigacion-te (...) GRANT 160.500 € TARGET AUDIENCE AND IMPACT MEASUREMENT 2450 Access to the project website 1089 Access to news published on own websites. Total Accesses: 3539 TRACTOR COMPANIES Thanks to its support and signature of the "declaration of participation" the project has been funded. COMPANIES DIFFUSION R&D PROJECTS They want to know first-hand the evolution of the project, and its progress to the final result. COMPANIES TRANSFER KNOWLEDGE They will implement technologies, develop strategies or look for new models based on the results.