Tube - Formaldehyde 0.2/a (10) | Draeger

The Dräger Tube – Formaldehyde 0.2/a is a short-term gas-detection tube manufactured by Dräger. It’s designed for the detection and measurement of formaldehyde (HCHO) vapors in air. The “0.2/a” designation indicates a specific measuring range starting at 0.2 ppm (parts per million), making it suitable for low-level formaldehyde monitoring.
It comes packaged in a set of 10 tubes per box (i.e., 10 tests) according to many suppliers.

Key Specifications & Features

Here are the important specifications and technical features:

• Measuring Range: The standard measuring range is 0.2 to 2.5 ppm, and extended up to 0.5 to 5 ppm for some applications.

• Time for Measurement / Number of Strokes:

  • For 0.2 to 2.5 ppm: approx. 1.5 minutes / 10 strokes.

  • For 0.5 to 5 ppm: approx. 3 minutes / 20 strokes.

• Technology: Uses the classic Dräger short-term tube system – a glass tube containing a reagent. A calibrated volume of air is drawn through the tube (using a pump such as the Dräger Accuro®) and if formaldehyde is present the reagent changes colour. The length of the colour change corresponds to the concentration of the gas.

• Operating Conditions:

  • Temperature range: 10 °C to 40 °C (approx.).

  • Humidity: 3 to 15 mg/L (absolute humidity) for the specified performance.

• Cross-Sensitivity / Interferences: Some other vapours may cause a colour change (e.g., styrene, vinyl acetate, acetaldehyde, acrolein, diesel fuel, furfuryl alcohol) causing a yellow-brown discoloration. However, 500 ppm octane, 5 ppm NO and 5 ppm NO₂ reportedly do not affect the measurement.

• Packaging / Quantity: The set comes as 10 tubes per box (i.e., for 10 measurements) according to several vendors.

• Product System Compatibility: The tube is part of the wider Dräger-Tubes® system and can be used with gas-pumps such as Dräger Accuro® or automatic pumps (Accuro 2000) or Quantimeter 1000 for more automated sampling.

Applications & Use Cases

This detector tube is suitable for many industrial hygiene, environmental monitoring, and safety screening tasks where formaldehyde detection is needed:

• Spot measurements of formaldehyde vapours in workplaces (e.g., laboratories, manufacturing, processing plants) to check for leaks, exposure peaks or compliance with occupational limits.

• Monitoring formaldehyde levels in indoor environments, confined spaces (tanks, shafts, ducts) where formaldehyde might be present due to processes, off-gassing, or chemical reactions.

• Quick “on‐the‐spot” checks rather than continuous online monitoring: the tube system is portable, fast, and easy to deploy in field settings.

• Pre-entry or clearance measurements: where you need to ensure that a space is safe for personnel with regards to formaldehyde concentration before work begins.

Because the tube enables measurement at low concentrations (starting at ~0.2 ppm) it is well suited for relatively strict exposure limits and situations where formaldehyde must be controlled tightly.

Advantages & Why Use It

• Rapid Results: With measurement times around 1.5 to 3 minutes, you get quick indication of formaldehyde concentration.

• Portable & Simple: Glass tubes and hand-pump system mean minimal equipment; ideal for field or on-site use.

• Low Detection Threshold: Starting at 0.2 ppm allows detection of relatively low formaldehyde concentrations.

• Broad System Support: As part of Dräger’s tube system, it leverages their accessory ecosystem (pumps, hoses, cases) which may enhance usability and flexibility.

• Trusted Brand: Dräger is well-known for industrial hygiene and safety equipment; this gives confidence in reliability and support.

Limitations & Considerations

• Single Use / Consumable: These are consumable tubes (each test uses one tube). For continuous monitoring, alternative instrumentation may be needed.

• Manual Sampling: Requires a pump (manual or automatic) and operator training to ensure correct sampling (stroke count, sample volume, handling).

• Interferences: Some other vapours may influence colour change, so awareness of potential interfering gases is necessary to interpret correctly.

• Environmental Conditions: Performance can be affected by temperature and humidity; must follow specified operating conditions.

• Shelf Life & Storage: As with many chemical tubes, they have a defined shelf life; storing under correct conditions is important to maintain accuracy (though exact shelf-life data should be verified from manufacturer documentation).

• Range Limitation: If formaldehyde concentrations exceed the upper end of the range (approx. 5 ppm for this model), accuracy may degrade or a different tube/model may be needed.