Today I am reviewing the FM300 from Extech. The FM300’s primary operation is to measure and display formaldehyde concentration, air temperature, and relative humidity readings with date (year, month, day) and time simultaneously. The Extech FM300 is great for detecting formaldehyde from glue, paint, insulation/plywood/fiberboard, timber paneling/particleboard, cosmetics, shampoos, soap bars/body wash, lotions, toothpaste, etc. Too much formaldehyde in the air can cause a variety of symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. The FM300 can help pinpoint this hidden culprit.

The Extech FM300 has many great features such as intuitive facial icons and bright Green and Red LED lights to quickly indicate CH20 levels. The unit also features a user programmable alarm (default 0.08 ppm). The Extech FM300 uses an electrochemical CH20 sensor, has MIN/MAX value recalls for CH20, and can recalibrate CH20 in fresh air environments. The FM300 also provides a statistical weighted average of TWA (8-hour time weighted average) and STEL (15-minute short-term exposure limit) and data logging capabilities up to 99 measurements.

The Extech FM300 is meant to be placed on desktops or mounted to walls in areas where formaldehyde may be present. It is very handy and convenient considering it displays the temperature, time, date, and humidity in addition to formaldehyde. It is a great desk companion for almost anyone.