Formaldehyde and Health Risk in the Lewis-Clark Valley, Idaho

Formaldehyde is a carcinogen that can be found in industrial emissions including paper mill processing. Prolonged human exposure can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract. In this study, formaldehyde in the Lewis-Clark Valley ambient air was measured across various sites relative to a local paper mill. Samples were collected from February to July 2023 with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-coated cartridges and analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC, EPA TO-11a). In addition, other gases such as alpha-pinene (EPA method TO-17) and sulfur dioxide (Teledyne T102 analyzer) were measured to assess primary or secondary sources. Formaldehyde levels and cancer risk were compared to a study in 2006 conducted by the Nez Perce Tribe