FORMALDEHYDE 37 %

CAS No: 50-00-0

Synonyms:
Formaldehit; form aldehit; Methyl aldehyde; Methylene oxide; Formalin; Formol; Formalin; 
paraform; 
methylene
glycol; 
methyl
aldehyde; 50-00-0; formaldehyde; formalin; methanal; formol; Methylene oxide; CAS:50-00-0; Oxomethane; Paraformaldehyde; Paraform; Formic aldehyde; Oxymethylene; Methyl aldehyde; Formaldehitnnoform; Formalith; Formaldehyde solution; Methaldehyde; Oxomethylene; Superlysoform; Formalina; Lysoform; Morbicid; Karsan; Formaldehyde; Formaline; Polyoxymethylene; Aldehyde formique; FYDE; Formaldehyde, gas; Formalin 40; Aldeide formica; 30525-89-4; Oplossingen; Dormol; Polyformaldehyde; Formalin-loesungen; Paraformic aldehyde; Formaldehit37; Formaldehit37%; Formaldehit%37; formaldehyde37; formaldehyde 37%; form aldehyde; FA; Méthanal; Métanal; Methanal; Формальдегид; Formaldehyde, gas; Formalin 40; Aldeide formica; 30525-89-4; Oplossingen; Dormol; Polyformaldehyde; Formalin-loesungen; Paraformic aldehyde; Rcra waste number U122; oxomethyl; Aldacide; Aldehyd mravenci; Paraformaldehydum;; Oilstop, Halowax; Flo-Mor; CH2O; UN 2209 (formalin); Formaldehyde (gas); Formaldehyde polymer; Formaline [German]; NCI-C02799; Formalina [Italian]; Oplossingen [Dutch]; HCHO; Caswell No. 465; Caswell No. 633; FORMYL GROUP; Polyoxymethylene glycol; Polymerised formaldehyde; Fordor; UN 1198; Aldehyd mravenci [Czech]; POLY(OXYMETHYLENE); Aldeide formica [Italian]; Aldehyde formique [French]; FORMALDEHİD; FORM ALDEHİD; FORMALDEHIT; FORMALDEHYDE; FORM ALDEHYDE; FORMALDEHİD 37; FORM ALDEHİD 37; FORMALDEHIT 37; FORMALDEHYDE 37; FORM ALDEHYDE 37 

FORMALDEHYDE 37 %

Properties
Related Categories    Aldehydes, Arbidol, Building Blocks, C1 to C6, Carbonyl Compounds,
Cell Biology, Chemical Synthesis, Chemicals for the synthesis of candidate COVID-19 treatments, Fixatives, Hematology and Histology, Organic Building Blocks
Less...
Quality Level      200
grade      ACS reagent
vapor density      1.03 (vs air)
vapor pressure      52 mmHg ( 37 °C)
     52 mmHg ( 37 °C)
assay      36.5-38.0%
autoignition temp.      572 °F
Show More (23) 
Description
General description
Formaldehyde (formalin) is produced by oxidation of methanol. It is made of 37% formaldehyde and impurities such as methanol, small amounts of formic acid, aldehydes and ketones. It is used as a denaturant in formaldehyde-agarose gel electrophoresis of RNA.[1][2]

Application
Formaldehyde solution has been used as a fixing agent to fix cells during immunofluorescence imaging and for cross-linking cells during chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay.[7]

Formaldehyde solution has been used for cross-linking/fixing of cells in ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) assay.[5][3] It has been used for fixing of cells for imaging.[6][4]

Packaging
1, 4 L in glass bottle

25, 100, 4×100, 500, 6×500 mL in glass bottle

Physical form
This product is a solution of approximately 37% by weight of formaldehyde gas in water.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (/fərˈmældəhaɪd/ (About this soundlisten) fer-mal-duh-hahyd, also /fɔːrˈmældəhaɪd/ (About this soundlisten) Formaldehitwr-) (systematic name methanal) is a naturally occurring organic compound with the formula CH2O (H−CHO). The pure compound is a pungent-smelling colourless gas that polymerises spontaneously into paraformaldehyde (refer to section Forms below), hence it is stored as an aqueous solution (formalin). It is the simplest of the aldehydes (R−CHO). The common name of this substance comes from its similarity and relation to formic acid.

Formaldehyde is an important precursor to many other materials and chemical compounds. In 1996, the installed capacity for the production of formaldehyde was estimated at 8.7 million tons per year.[13] It is mainly used in the production of industrial resins, e.g., for particle board and coatings.

In view of its widespread use, toxicity, and volatility, formaldehyde poses a significant danger to human health.[14][15] In 2011, the US National Toxicology Program described formaldehyde as "known to be a human carcinogen".

Forms
Formaldehyde is more complicated than many simple carbon compounds in that it adopts several diverse forms. These compounds can often be used interchangeably and can be interconverted.

Molecular formaldehyde. A colorless gas with a characteristic pungent, irritating odor. It is stable at about 150 °C, but polymerizes when condensed to a liquid.
1,3,5-Trioxane, with the formula (CH2O)3. It is a white solid that dissolves without degradation in organic solvents. It is a trimer of molecular formaldehyde.
Paraformaldehyde, with the formula HO(CH2O)nH. It is a white solid that is insoluble in most solvents.
Methanediol, with the formula CH2(OH)2. This compound also exists in equilibrium with various oligomers (short polymers), depending on the concentration and temperature. A saturated water solution, of about 40% formaldehyde by volume or 37% by mass, is called "100% formalin". A small amount of stabilizer, such as methanol, is usually added to suppress oxidation and polymerization. A typical commercial grade formalin may contain 10–12% methanol in addition to various metallic impurities.
"Formaldehyde" was first used as a generic trademark in 1893 following a previous trade name, "formalin".[19]

Main forms of formaldehyde

Monomeric formaldehyde (subject of this article).

Trioxane is a stable cyclic trimer of formaldehyde.

Paraformaldehyde is a common form of formaldehyde for industrial applications.

Methanediol, the predominant species in dilute aqueous solutions of formaldehyde.

Occurrence
Processes in the upper atmosphere contribute up to 90% of the total formaldehyde in the environment. Formaldehyde is an intermediate in the oxidation (or combustion) of methane, as well as of other carbon compounds, e.g. in forest fires, automobile exhaust, and tobacco smoke. When produced in the atmosphere by the action of sunlight and oxygen on atmospheric methane and other hydrocarbons, it becomes part of smog. Formaldehyde has also been detected in outer space (see below).

Formaldehyde and its adducts are ubiquitous in living organisms. It is formed in the metabolism of amino acids[which?] and is found in the bloodstream of humans and other primates at concentrations of approximately 0.1 millimolar.[20] Experiments in which animals are exposed to an atmosphere containing isotopically labeled formaldehyde have demonstrated that even in deliberately exposed animals, the majority of formaldehyde-DNA adducts found in non-respiratory tissues are derived from endogenously produced formaldehyde.[21]

Formaldehyde does not accumulate in the environment, because it is broken down within a few hours by sunlight or by bacteria present in soil or water. Humans metabolize formaldehyde quickly, converting it to formic acid, so it does not accumulate in the body.[22]

Interstellar formaldehyde
Main article: Interstellar formaldehyde
Formaldehyde appears to be a useful probe in astrochemistry due to prominence of the 110←111 and 211←212 K-doublet transitions. It was the first polyatomic organic molecule detected in the interstellar medium.[23] Since its initial detection in 1969, it has been observed in many regions of the galaxy. Because of the widespread interest in interstellar formaldehyde, it has been extensively studied, yielding new extragalactic sources.[24] A proposed mechanism for the formation is the hydrogenation of CO ice:[25]

H + CO → HCO
HCO + H → CH2O
HCN, HNC, H2CO, and dust have also been observed inside the comae of comets C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) and C/2012 S1 (ISON).[26][27]

Synthesis and industrial production
Laboratory synthesis
Formaldehyde was first reported in 1859 by the Russian chemist Aleksandr Butlerov (1828–86)[28] In his paper, Butlerov referred to formaldehyde as "dioxymethylen" (methylene dioxide) [page 247] because his empirical formula for it was incorrect (C4H4O4). It was conclusively identified by August Wilhelm von Hofmann, who first announced the production of formaldehyde by passing methanol vapor in air over hot platinum wire.[29][30] With modifications, Hoffmann's method remains the basis of the present day industrial route.

Solution routes to formaldehyde also entail oxidation of methanol or methyl iodide.[31]

Industry
Formaldehyde is produced industrially by the catalytic oxidation of methanol. The most common catalysts are silver metal or a mixture of an iron and molybdenum or vanadium oxides. In the commonly used formox process, methanol and oxygen react at ca. 250–400 °C in presence of iron oxide in combination with molybdenum and/or vanadium to produce formaldehyde according to the chemical equation:[13]

2 CH3OH + O2 → 2 CH2O + 2 H2O
The silver-based catalyst usually operates at a higher temperature, about 650 °C. Two chemical reactions on it simultaneously produce formaldehyde: that shown above and the dehydrogenation reaction:

CH3OH → CH2O + H2
In principle, formaldehyde could be generated by oxidation of methane, but this route is not industrially viable because the methanol is more easily oxidized than methane.[13]

Organic chemistry
Formaldehyde is a building block in the synthesis of many other compounds of specialised and industrial significance. It exhibits most of the chemical properties of other aldehydes but is more reactive.

Self-condensation and hydration
Formaldehyde, unlike most aldehydes, oligomerizes spontaneously. The trimer is 1,3,5-trioxane, and the polymer is called paraformaldehyde. Many cyclic oligomers have been isolated. Similarly, formaldehyde hydrates to give the geminal diol methanediol, which condenses further to form oligomers HO(CH2O)nH. Monomeric CH2O is rarely encountered.

Oxidation
It is readily oxidized by atmospheric oxygen into formic acid. For this reason, commercial formaldehyde is typically contaminated with formic acid.

Hydroxymethylation and chloromethylation
Formaldehyde is a good electrophile. With good nucleophiles such as thiols, amines, and even amides, no acid catalyst is required. The resulting hydroxymethyl derivatives typically react further. Thus amines give hexahydro-1,3,5-triazines. Similarly, when combined with hydrogen sulfide, it forms trithiane.[32]

3 CH2O + 3 H2S → (CH2S)3 + 3 H2O
In the presence of acids, it participates in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions with aromatic compounds resulting in hydroxymethylated derivatives:

ArH + CH2O → ArCH2OH
When conducted in the presence of hydrogen chloride, the product is the chloromethyl compound, as described in the Blanc chloromethylation. If the arene is electron-rich, as in phenols, elaborate condensations ensue. With 4-substituted phenols one obtains calixarenes.[33] Phenol results in polymers.

Base reactions
Cannizzaro reaction in the presence of basic catalysts to produce formic acid and methanol.

Uses
Industrial applications
Formaldehyde is a common precursor to more complex compounds and materials. In approximate order of decreasing consumption, products generated from formaldehyde include urea formaldehyde resin, melamine resin, phenol formaldehyde resin, polyoxymethylene plastics, 1,4-butanediol, and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate.[13] The textile industry uses formaldehyde-based resins as finishers to make Formaldehitbrics crease-resistant.[34] Formaldehyde-based materials are key to the manuFormaldehitcture of automobiles, and used to make components for the transmission, electrical system, engine block, door panels, axles and brake shoes. The value of sales of formaldehyde and derivative products was over $145 billion in 2003, about 1.2% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States and Canada. Including indirect employment, over 4 million people work in the formaldehyde industry across approximately 11,900 plants in the U.S. and Canada.[35][permanent dead link]

Two steps in formation of urea-formaldehyde resin, which is widely used in the production of particle board.
When treated with phenol, urea, or melamine, formaldehyde produces, respectively, hard thermoset phenol formaldehyde resin, urea formaldehyde resin, and melamine resin. These polymers are common permanent adhesives used in plywood and carpeting. It is used as the wet-strength resin added to sanitary paper products such as (listed in increasing concentrations injected into the paper machine headstock chest) Formaldehitcial tissue, table napkins, and roll towels. They are also foamed to make insulation, or cast into moulded products. Production of formaldehyde resins accounts for more than half of formaldehyde consumption.

Formaldehyde is also a precursor to polyfunctional alcohols such as pentaerythritol, which is used to make paints and explosives. Other formaldehyde derivatives include methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, an important component in polyurethane paints and foams, and hexamine, which is used in phenol-formaldehyde resins as well as the explosive RDX.

Condensation with acetaldehyde affords pentaerythritol, a chemical necessary in synthesizing PETN, a high explosive.[36] Condensation with phenols gives phenol-formaldehyde resins.

Niche uses
Disinfectant and biocide
An aqueous solution of formaldehyde can be useful as a disinfectant as it kills most bacteria and fungi (including their spores). It is used as an additive in vaccine manuFormaldehitcturing to inactivate toxins and pathogens.[37] Formaldehyde releasers are used as biocides in personal care products such as cosmetics. Although present at levels not normally considered harmful, they are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis in certain sensitised individuals.[38]

Aquarists use formaldehyde as a treatment for the parasites Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Cryptocaryon irritans.[39]

Formaldehyde is also approved for use in the manuFormaldehitcture of animal feeds in the US. It is an antimicrobial agent used to maintain complete animal feeds or feed ingredients Salmonella negative for up to 21 days.[40]

Tissue fixative and embalming agent

Injecting a giant squid specimen with formalin for preservation.
Formaldehyde preserves or fixes tissue or cells. The process involves cross-linking of primary amino groups. The European Union has banned the use of formaldehyde as a biocide (including embalming) under the Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC) due to its carcinogenic properties.[41][42] Countries with a strong tradition of embalming corpses, such as Ireland and other colder-weather countries, have raised concerns. Despite reports to the contrary,[43] no decision on the inclusion of formaldehyde on Annex I of the Biocidal Products Directive for product-type 22 (embalming and taxidermist fluids) had been made as of September 2009.[44]

Formaldehyde-based crosslinking is exploited in ChIP-on-chip or ChIP-sequencing genomics experiments, where DNA-binding proteins are cross-linked to their cognate binding sites on the chromosome and analyzed to determine what genes are regulated by the proteins. Formaldehyde is also used as a denaturing agent in RNA gel electrophoresis, preventing RNA from forming secondary structures. A solution of 4% formaldehyde fixes pathology tissue specimens at about one mm per hour at room temperature.

Drug testing
Formaldehyde and an 18 M (concentrated) sulfuric acid makes Marquis reagent—which can identify alkaloids and other compounds.

Photography
In photography, formaldehyde is used in low concentrations for process C-41 (color negative film) stabilizer in the final wash step,[45] as well as in the process E-6 pre-bleach step, to make it unnecessary in the final wash.

Safety
Formaldehyde occurs naturally, and is "an essential intermediate in cellular metabolism in mammals and humans."[13] Ingestion of as little as 30 milliliters (1 oz.) of a 37% solution of formaldehyde has been reported to cause death in an adult.[46] Other concerns are associated with chronic (long term) exposure by inhalation. This may happen from three main sources: thermal or chemical decomposition of formaldehyde-based resins, emission from aqueous formaldehyde solutions (e.g. embalming fluids), and the production of formaldehyde resulting from the combustion of a variety of organic compounds (for example, exhaust gases). As formaldehyde resins are used in many construction materials it is one of the more common indoor air pollutants.[47] At concentrations above 0.1 ppm in air formaldehyde can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, resulting in watery eyes.[48] Formaldehyde inhaled at this concentration may cause headaches, a burning sensation in the throat, and difficulty breathing, and can trigger or aggravate asthma symptoms.[49][50]

A 1988 Canadian study of houses with urea-formaldehyde foam insulation found that formaldehyde levels as low as 0.046 ppm were positively correlated with eye and nasal irritation.[51] A 2009 review of studies has shown a strong association between exposure to formaldehyde and the development of childhood asthma.[52] The primary exposure concern is for the workers in the industries producing or using formaldehyde.

A theory was proposed for the carcinogenesis of formaldehyde in 1978.[53] In 1987 the U.S. EPA classified it as a probable human carcinogen, and after more studies the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 1995 also classified it as a probable human carcinogen. Further information and evaluation of all known data led the IARC to reclassify formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen[54] associated with nasal sinus cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer.[55] 2009 and 2010 studies have also shown a positive correlation between exposure to formaldehyde and the development of leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia.[56][57] Nasopharyngeal and sinonasal cancers are relatively rare, with a combined annual incidence in the United States of < 4,000 cases.[58][59] About 30,000 cases of myeloid leukemia occur in the United States each year.[60][61] Some evidence suggests that workplace exposure to formaldehyde contributes to sinonasal cancers.[62] Professionals exposed to formaldehyde in their occupation, such as funeral industry workers and embalmers, showed an increased risk of leukemia and brain cancer compared with the general population.[63] Other Formaldehitctors are important in determining individual risk for the development of leukemia or nasopharyngeal cancer.[62][64][65]

In the residential environment, formaldehyde exposure comes from a number of routes; formaldehyde can emitted by treated wood products, such as plywood or particle board, but it is produced by paints, varnishes, floor finishes, and cigarette smoking as well.[66] In July 2016, the U.S. EPA released a prepublication version of its final rule on Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products.[67] These new rules impact manuFormaldehitcturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of products containing composite wood, including fiberboard, particleboard, and various laminated products, who must comply with more stringent record-keeping and labeling requirements.[68]

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows no more than 0.016 ppm formaldehyde in the air in new buildings constructed for that agency.[69][Formaldehitiled verification] A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study found a new home measured 0.076 ppm when brand new and 0.045 ppm after 30 days.[70] The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also announced limits on the formaldehyde levels in trailers purchased by that agency.[71] The EPA recommends the use of "exterior-grade" pressed-wood products with phenol instead of urea resin to limit formaldehyde exposure, since pressed-wood products containing formaldehyde resins are often a significant source of formaldehyde in homes.[55]

Patch test
For most people, irritation from formaldehyde is temporary and reversible, although formaldehyde can cause allergies and is part of the standard patch test series. In 2005–06, it was the seventh-most-prevalent allergen in patch tests (9.0%).[72] People with formaldehyde allergy are advised to avoid formaldehyde releasers as well (e.g., Quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl urea).[73] People who suffer allergic reactions to formaldehyde tend to display lesions on the skin in the areas that have had direct contact with the substance, such as the neck or thighs (often due to formaldehyde released from permanent press finished clothing) or dermatitis on the Formaldehitce (typically from cosmetics).[38] Formaldehyde has been banned in cosmetics in both Sweden[citation needed] and Japan.[74] The eyes are most sensitive to formaldehyde exposure: The lowest level at which many people can begin to smell formaldehyde ranges between 0.05-1 ppm. The maximum concentration value at the workplace is 0.3 ppm.[75][need quotation to verify] In controlled chamber studies, individuals begin to sense eye irritation at about 0.5 ppm; 5 to 20 percent report eye irritation at 0.5 to 1 ppm; and greater certainty for sensory irritation occurred at 1 ppm and above. While some agencies have used a level as low as 0.1 ppm as a threshold for irritation, the expert panel found that a level of 0.3 ppm would protect against nearly all irritation. In Formaldehitct, the expert panel found that a level of 1.0 ppm would avoid eye irritation—the most sensitive endpoint—in 75–95% of all people exposed.[76]

Formaldehyde levels in building environments are affected by a number of Formaldehitctors. These include the potency of formaldehyde-emitting products present, the ratio of the surFormaldehitce area of emitting materials to volume of space, environmental Formaldehitctors, product age, interactions with other materials, and ventilation condition. Formaldehyde emits from a variety of construction materials, furnishings, and consumer products. The three products that emit the highest concentrations are medium density fiberboard, hardwood plywood, and particle board. Environmental Formaldehitctors such as temperature and relative humidity can elevate levels because formaldehyde has a high vapor pressure. Formaldehyde levels from building materials are the highest when a building first opens because materials would have less time to off-gas. Formaldehyde levels decrease over time as the sources suppress.

Formaldehyde levels in air can be sampled and tested in several ways, including impinger, treated sorbent, and passive monitors.[77] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has measurement methods numbered 2016, 2541, 3500, and 3800.[78]

Studies on the interactions between formaldehyde and proteins at the molecular level have been reported on the effects of the body's carrier protein, serum albumin. The binding of formaldehyde loosens the skeletal structure of albumin and causes exposure of aromatic ring amino acids in the internal hydrophobic region. Symptoms may affect personal awareness, making one feel tired or Formaldehittigued.[citation needed]

Formaldehyde inhalation has also shown to cause oxidative stress and inflammation in animals. Mice studied over an exposure to a high dose of formaldehyde (3ppm), showed increased NO−
3 levels in plasma. This result suggests that Formaldehit inhalation either decreased NO production or increased NO scavenging, which may be an anti-stress mechanism in the body. Formaldehyde inhalation changes the sensitivity of immune system, which influences oxidative stress.[citation needed]

In June 2011, the twelfth edition of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Carcinogens (RoC) changed the listing status of formaldehyde from "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" to "known to be a human carcinogen."[16][17][18] Concurrently, a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) committee was convened and issued an independent review of the draft United States Environmental Protection Agency IRIS assessment of formaldehyde, providing a comprehensive health effects assessment and quantitative estimates of human risks of adverse effects.[79]

International bans
Several web articles claim that formaldehyde has been banned from manuFormaldehitcture or import into the European Union (EU) under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and restriction of Chemical substances) legislation. That is a misconception, as formaldehyde is not listed in the Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 (export and import of dangerous chemicals regulation), nor on a priority list for risk assessment. However, formaldehyde is banned from use in certain applications (preservatives for liquid-cooling and processing systems, slimicides, metalworking-fluid preservatives, and antifouling products) under the Biocidal Products Directive.[80][81] In the EU, the maximum allowed concentration of formaldehyde in finished products is 0.2%, and any product that exceeds 0.05% has to include a warning that the product contains formaldehyde.[38]

In the United States, Congress passed a bill July 7, 2010 regarding the use of formaldehyde in hardwood plywood, particle board, and medium density fiberboard. The bill limited the allowable amount of formaldehyde emissions from these wood products to .09 ppm, and required companies to meet this standard by January 2013.[82] The final Environmental Protection Agency rule specified maximum emissions of "0.05 ppm formaldehyde for hardwood plywood, 0.09 ppm formaldehyde for particleboard, 0.11 ppm formaldehyde for medium-density fiberboard, and 0.13 ppm formaldehyde for thin medium-density fiberboard."[83]

Formaldehyde was declared a toxic substance by the 1999 Canadian Environmental Protection Act.[84]

External media
Fema trailer 1 Mariel Carr Chemical Heritage Foundation Video.jpg
Audio
audio icon "Episode 202: Where Have All the FEMA Trailers Gone? Tracing Toxicity from Bust to Boom", Distillations, September 2, 2015, Science History Institute
Video
video icon Where Have All the Trailers Gone?, Video by Mariel Carr (Videographer) & Nick Shapiro (Researcher), 2015, Science History Institute
Contaminant in food
Scandals have broken in both the 2005 Indonesia food scare and 2007 Vietnam food scare regarding the addition of formaldehyde to foods to extend shelf life. In 2011, after a four-year absence, Indonesian authorities found foods with formaldehyde being sold in markets in a number of regions across the country.[85] In August 2011, at least at two Carrefour supermarkets, the Central Jakarta Livestock and Fishery Sub-Department found a sweet glutinous rice drink (cendol) contained 10 parts per million of formaldehyde.[86] In 2014, the owner of two noodle Formaldehitctories in Bogor, Indonesia, was arrested for using formaldehyde in noodles. 50 kg of formaldehyde was confiscated.[87] Foods known to be contaminated included noodles, salted fish, and tofu. Chicken and beer were also rumored to be contaminated. In some places, such as China, manuFormaldehitcturers still use formaldehyde illegally as a preservative in foods, which exposes people to formaldehyde ingestion.[88] In humans, the ingestion of formaldehyde has been shown to cause vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and in extreme cases can cause death. Testing for formaldehyde is by blood and/or urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Other methods include infrared detection, gas detector tubes, etc., of which high-performance liquid chromatography is the most sensitive.[89] In the early 1900s, it was frequently added by US milk plants to milk bottles as a method of pasteurization due to the lack of knowledge and concern[90] regarding formaldehyde's toxicity.[91][92]

In 2011 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, truckloads of rotten chicken were treated with formaldehyde for sale in which "a large network," including 11 slaughterhouses run by a criminal gang, were implicated.[93] In 2012, 1 billion rupiah (almost US$100,000) of fish imported from Pakistan to Batam, Indonesia, were found laced with formaldehyde.[94]

Formalin contamination of foods has been reported in Bangladesh, with stores and supermarkets selling fruits, fishes, and vegetables that have been treated with formalin to keep them fresh.[95] However, in 2015, a Formalin Control Bill was passed in the Parliament of Bangladesh with a provision of life-term imprisonment as the maximum punishment and in addition 2,000,000 BDT as fine but not less than 500,000 BDT for importing, production or hoarding of formalin without license

Formaldehyde
What is formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas used in making building materials and many household products. It is used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives; permanent-press Formaldehitbrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials. It is also used to make other chemicals.

Formaldehyde is quickly broken down in the air – generally within hours. It dissolves easily in water, but does not last long there, either.

When dissolved in water it is called formalin, which is commonly used as an industrial disinfectant, and as a preservative in funeral homes and medical labs. It can also be used as a preservative in some foods and in products, such as antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics. Sometimes, although formaldehyde is not used, substances that release formaldehyde are. These have been found in cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, lotions and sunscreens, and cleaning products.

Formaldehyde can be added as a preservative to food, but it can also be produced as the result of cooking and smoking.

Formaldehyde also occurs naturally in the environment. Humans and most other living organisms make small amounts as part of normal metabolic processes.

How are people exposed to formaldehyde?
The main way people are exposed to formaldehyde is by inhaling it. The liquid form can be absorbed through the skin. People can also be exposed to small amounts by eating foods or drinking liquids containing formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is normally made in the body. Enzymes in the body break down formaldehyde into formate (formic acid), which can be further broken down into carbon dioxide. Most inhaled formaldehyde is broken down by the cells lining the mouth, nose, throat, and airways, so that less than a third is absorbed into the blood.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, formaldehyde is normally present at low levels (less than 0.03 parts per million) in both indoor and outdoor air. Materials containing formaldehyde can release it as a gas or vapor into the air. Automobile exhaust is a major source of formaldehyde in outdoor air.

During the 1970s, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was used in many homes. But few homes are now insulated with UFFI. Homes in which UFFI was installed many years ago are not likely to have high formaldehyde levels now.

Pressed-wood products containing formaldehyde resins are often a source of formaldehyde in homes. Using unvented fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, wood-burning stoves, and kerosene heaters can also raise formaldehyde levels indoors.

Formaldehyde is also a component of tobacco smoke and both smokers and those breathing secondhand smoke are exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde. One study found much higher levels of formaldehyde bound to DNA in the white blood cells of smokers compared to non-smokers.

Formaldehyde and other chemicals that release formaldehyde are sometimes used in low concentrations in cosmetics and other personal care products like lotions, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and some fingernail polishes. These may raise the concentration of formaldehyde in the air inside the room for a short time, but the levels reached are Formaldehitr below what is considered to be hazardous.

Professional keratin hair smoothing treatments can contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasing chemicals. Using these can raise indoor air concentrations of formaldehyde to levels that could be a potential hazard.

Workers in industries that make formaldehyde or formaldehyde-containing products, lab technicians, some health care professionals, and funeral home employees may be exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde than the general public. Exposure occurs mainly by inhaling formaldehyde gas or vapor from the air or by absorbing liquids containing formaldehyde through the skin. In one large study of workers in industries that make or use formaldehyde, the average level of formaldehyde exposure was 0.45 parts per million (ppm) overall, with less than 3% of workers experiencing more than 2 ppm on average.

Can formaldehyde cause cancer?
Exposure to formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory test animals. Exposure to relatively high amounts of formaldehyde in medical and occupational settings has been linked to some types of cancer in humans, but the effect of exposure to small amounts is less clear.

Studies in the lab
In rats, inhaled formaldehyde was linked to cancers of the nasal cavity and leukemia. In one study of rats given drinking water containing formaldehyde there was an increase in stomach tumors, while another showed no increase in any kind of tumor or cancer.

In mice, applying a 10% solution of formaldehyde to the skin was linked to quicker development of cancers caused by another chemical.

Studies in people
In one study, inhaling formaldehyde at levels at a concentration of 1.9 parts per million (ppm) for 40 minutes did not increase blood levels of formaldehyde.

Several epidemiology studies of people exposed to formaldehyde in the workplace have reported a link between formaldehyde exposure and cancer of the nasopharynx (the uppermost part of the throat), but this outcome has not been observed in other studies. These studies looked at workers in occupational setting that use or make formaldehyde and formaldehyde resins, as well as at people who work as embalmers.

Studies of people exposed to formaldehyde in the workplace have also found a possible link to cancer of the nasal sinuses.

Several studies have found that embalmers and medical professionals that use formaldehyde have an increased risk of leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia. Some studies of industrial workers exposed to formaldehyde have also found increased risks of leukemia, but not all studies have shown an increased risk.

Studies looking at the link between workplace exposure to formaldehyde and other types of cancer have not found a consistent link.

One study found that workers exposed to formaldehyde had higher than normal levels of chromosome changes in early white blood cells in their bone marrow. This finding supports the possible link between formaldehyde exposure and leukemia.

What expert agencies say
Several agencies (national and international) study different substances in the environment to determine if they can cause cancer. (A substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow is called a carcinogen.) The American Cancer Society looks to these organizations to evaluate the risks based on evidence from laboratory, animal, and human research studies.

Based on the available evidence, some of these expert agencies have evaluated the cancer-causing potential of formaldehyde.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) is formed from parts of several different US government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The NTP lists formaldehyde as "known to be a human carcinogen."

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its major goal is to identify causes of cancer. IARC has concluded that formaldehyde is "carcinogenic to humans" based on higher risks of nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), an electronic database that contains information on human health effects from exposure to various substances in the environment. The EPA has classified formaldehyde as a "probable human carcinogen."

National Cancer Institute researchers have concluded that, based on data from studies in people and from lab research, exposure to formaldehyde may cause leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia, in humans.

(For more information on the classification systems used by some of these agencies, see Known and Probable Human Carcinogens.)

Does formaldehyde cause any other health problems?
When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels higher than 0.1 parts per million (ppm), some people may have health effects, such as:

watery eyes
burning sensations of the eyes, nose, and throat
coughing
wheezing
nausea
skin irritation
Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, but others have no reaction to the same level of exposure.

Formaldehyde in consumer products such as cosmetics and lotions can cause an allergic reaction in the skin (allergic contact dermatitis), which can lead to an itchy, red rash which may become raised or develop blisters.

How can I limit my exposure to formaldehyde?
In the home
The EPA recommends using "exterior-grade" pressed-wood products to limit formaldehyde exposure in the home. These products give off less formaldehyde because they contain phenol resins, not urea resins. Before buying pressed-wood products, including building materials, cabinetry, and furniture, buyers should ask about the formaldehyde content of these products.

Formaldehyde levels in homes can also be reduced by not allowing smoking inside and by ensuring adequate ventilation (use your stove vent Formaldehitn for example), moderate temperatures, and reduced humidity levels through the use of air conditioners and dehumidifiers.

People who are concerned about formaldehyde exposure from personal care products and cosmetics can avoid using products that contain or release formaldehyde. Still, because the amount of formaldehyde released from these products is low, it isn’t clear that this will provide any health benefit.

Formaldehyde can be listed on a product label by other names, such as:

Formalin
Formic aldehyde
Methanediol
Methanal
Methyl aldehyde
Methylene glycol
Methylene oxide

Formaldehyde is a colorless poisonous gas synthesized by the oxidation of methanol and used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, histologic fixative, and general-purpose chemical reagent for laboratory applications. Formaldehyde is readily soluble in water and is commonly distributed as a 37% solution in water; formalin, a 10% solution of formaldehyde in water, is used as a disinfectant and to preserve biological specimens. Environmentally, formaldehyde may be found in the atmosphere, smoke from fires, automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke. Small amounts are produced during normal metabolic processes in most organisms, including humans.

NCI Thesaurus (NCIt)
At room temperature, formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, pungent smell. It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. Formaldehyde is naturally produced in small amounts in our bodies. It is used in the production of fertilizer, paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins. It is also used as a preservative in some foods and in many products used around the house, such as antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics.

CDC-ATSDR Toxic Substances Portal
Formaldehyde, solutions (formalin) (corrosive) appears as a colorless liquid with a pungent irritating odor. Contains 37-50% formaldehyde by mass and varying amounts of methanol, added to prevent precipitation of formaldehyde polymers (formaldehyde exists in solution as CH2(OH)2 and its polymers HO(CH2O)xH where x averages about three). Formalin free of methanol is also shipped but must be kept warm (about 30°C (86°F)) to prevent polymerization. Pure formaldehyde, a gas, is not handled commercially because it tends to polymerize exothermally and may ignite. Vapor from formalin solution is flammable and an explosion hazard when exposed to flame or heat. Skin and eye irritant. Confirmed carcinogen.

Molecular Weight of Formaldehyde:    30.026 g/mol    Computed by PubChem 2.1 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
XLogP3-AA of Formaldehyde:    1.2    Computed by XLogP3 3.0 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count of Formaldehyde:    0    Computed by Cactvs 3.4.6.11 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count of Formaldehyde:    1    Computed by Cactvs 3.4.6.11 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
Rotatable Bond Count of Formaldehyde:    0    Computed by Cactvs 3.4.6.11 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
Exact Mass of Formaldehyde:    30.010565 g/mol    Computed by PubChem 2.1 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
Monoisotopic Mass of Formaldehyde:    30.010565 g/mol    Computed by PubChem 2.1 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
Topological Polar SurFormaldehitce Area of Formaldehyde:    17.1 Ų    Computed by Cactvs 3.4.6.11 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
Heavy Atom Count of Formaldehyde:    2    Computed by PubChem
Formal Charge of Formaldehyde:    0    Computed by PubChem
Complexity of Formaldehyde:    2    Computed by Cactvs 3.4.6.11 (PubChem release 2019.06.18)
Isotope Atom Count of Formaldehyde:    0    Computed by PubChem
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count     of Formaldehyde:0    Computed by PubChem
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count of Formaldehyde:    0    Computed by PubChem
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count of Formaldehyde:    0    Computed by PubChem
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count    0    Computed by PubChem
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count of Formaldehyde:    1    Computed by PubChem
Compound Is Canonicalized    Yes