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Abstract ObjectiveThis study is the first community engagement phase of a project to develop a residential formaldehyde detection system. The objectives were to conduct a feasibility assessment for device use, and identify factors associated with concerns about environmental exposure and community interest in this device. Design and SampleA cross‐sectional, internet‐based survey employing community‐based participatory research principles was utilized. 147 individuals participated from a focused Waycross, Georgia (58.5%) and broader national sample (41.5%). MeasuresVariables included acceptable cost and number of testing samples, interest in conducting tests, levels of concern over pollutants, health status, housing, and demographics. ResultsThe majority of participants desired a system with fewer than 10 samples at ≤$15.00 per sample. Statistically significant higher levels of concern over air quality, formaldehyde exposure, and interest in testing formaldehyde were observed for those with overall worse health status and living in the Waycross, Georgia geographic region. Significant differences in formaldehyde testing interest were observed by health status (OR = 0.31, 95%CI = 0.12–0.81 for home testing) and geographic location (OR = 3.16, 95%CI = 1.22–8.14 for home andOR = 4.06, 95%CI = 1.48–11.12 for ambient testing) in multivariate models. ConclusionsGeographic location and poorer general health status were associated with concerns over and interest in formaldehyde testing.