A solid reagent of Purpald®-acetone aminal on sodium or potassium bicarbonate responds to formaldehyde in the sub-ppm concentration range. A purple color (λ=560 nm) is developed proportional to concentration of formaldehyde and time of exposure after wetting with a 90% acetone-10% water solution. The reagent should be of value as a semi-quantitative warning device for the presence of formaldehyde. A device is described which generates formaldehyde in air in the sub-ppm concentration range at room temperature with desired relative humidity. This generator could be used in the same manner to generate low concentrations of other substances of low volatility.