Physical Properties

The Physical Properties of Formaldehyde

* The chemical formula for formaldehyde is CH2O and the molecular weight is 30.03 g/mol. (1)
* The vapor pressure for formaldehyde is 10 mm Hg at -88 EC, and its log octanol/water partition
coefficient (Log Kow) is -0.65. (1)
* Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor at room temperature; the odor
threshold for formaldehyde is 0.83 ppm. (1,8)
* Formaldehyde is readily soluble in water at room temperature. (1)
* Commercial formaldehyde is produced and sold as an aqueous solution containing 37 to 50 percent
formaldehyde by weight. (1)

Physical Data
Vapor Pressure: 52mm @ 37 C
Specific Gravity: 1.083
Vapor Density: 1.03
Appearance: colorless liquid
Hazardous Decomposition
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Dioxide
Fire Hazard Data
Flash point: 310 F (154C)
Autoignition Temp: 932 F (499 C)

Chemical Structure

Formaldehyde - H2C=O
H3

\
/

C1

O2

H4

Bond Lengths:
between C1 and O2: distance=1.220
between C1 and H4: distance=1.122 ang___
Bond Angles:

ang___

between

C1 and

H3:

distance=1.122

ang___

for H3-C1-O2: angle=121.7 deg___ for H4-C1-O2: angle=121.8 deg___

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. The textile industry uses formaldehyde-based resins as finishers to make fabrics creaseresistant. Formaldehyde-based materials are key to the manufacture 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.

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) facial 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 poly functional 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. Formaldehyde has been found as a contaminant in several bath products,
at levels from 54610 ppm: it is thought to arise from the breakdown of preservatives in the products, [31] most
frequently diazolidinyl urea. Since 2006, formaldehyde (methylene glycol) is also used in hair smoothing
treatments in order to straighten wavy/curly hair and make hair less prone to frizz under high humid weather.
OSHA Oregon has reported these treatments as unsafe for human health. [32]

Disinfectant and biocide

An aqueous solution of formaldehyde can be useful as a disinfectant as it kills most bacteria and fungi (including
their spores). Formaldehyde solutions are applied topically in medicine to dry the skin, such as in the treatment
of warts. Many aquarists use formaldehyde as a treatment for the parasites Ichthyophthirius
multifiliis and Cryptocaryon irritans.
Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines (vaccines that use an inactive bacterial
toxin to produce immunity). It is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might contaminate the
vaccine during production. Urinary tract infections are also often treated using a derivative of formaldehyde
(methane amine), a method often chosen because it prevents overuse of antibiotics and the resultant
development of bacterial resistance to them. In an acid environment, methane amine is converted in the kidneys
to formaldehyde, which then has an antibacterial effect in the urinary tract. Some topical creams, cosmetics, and
personal hygiene products contain derivatives of formaldehyde as the active ingredients that prevent the growth
of potentially harmful bacteria.

Formaldehyde is also approved for use in the manufacture 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.

Tissue fixative and embalming agent

Injecting a giant squid specimen with formalin for preservation.

Formaldehyde preserves or fixes tissue or cells by a mixture of reversible (short exposure time and low
temperatures) and irreversible (long exposure time and higher temperatures) cross-linking of primary amino
groups in proteins with other nearby nitrogen atoms in protein or DNA through a -CH2- linkage. This 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.
Formaldehyde solutions are used as a fixative for microscopy and histology because of formaldehyde's ability to
perform the Mannich reaction, although the percentage formaldehyde used may vary based on the method of
analysis. Additionally, the methanol used to stabilize formaldehyde may interfere with the ability to properly fix
tissue or cells, and therefore commercial formaldehyde preparations are available that are packaged in
glass ampules under an inert gas to prevent the use of contaminating methanol for stabilization. Formaldehydebased solutions are also used in embalming to disinfect and temporarily preserve human and animal remains. It
is the ability of formaldehyde to fix the tissue that produces the tell-tale firmness of flesh in an embalmed body.
In post mortem examinations a procedure known as the "sink test" involves placing the lungs of an animal in an
aqueous solution of formaldehyde; if the lungs float it suggests the animal was probably breathing or able to
breathe at the time of death.
Although formaldehyde solutions are commonly used as a biological preserving medium, usually for smaller
specimens, it delays, but does not prevent, decay. This method of fixation does not preserve nucleic acids, thus
preventing, for example, genetic analysis of the first discovered Dendrogramma specimens.
Several European countries restrict the use of formaldehyde, including the import of formaldehyde-treated
products and embalming. Starting September 2007, the European Union banned the use of formaldehyde due to
its carcinogenic properties as a biocide (including embalming) under the Biocidal Products
Directive (98/8/EC). Countries with a strong tradition of embalming corpses, such as Ireland and other colderweather countries, have raised concerns. Despite reports to the contrary, 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.

Drug testing
Formaldehyde, along with 18 M (concentrated) sulfuric acid makes Marquis reagent which can be used to
identify alkaloids and other compounds.

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

Safety
Formaldehyde is highly toxic to all animals, regardless of method of intake. Ingestion of 30 mL (1 oz.) of a
solution containing 37% formaldehyde has been reported to cause death in an adult human.[41] Water solution of
formaldehyde is very corrosive and its ingestion can cause severe injury to the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Occupational exposure to formaldehyde by inhalation is mainly from three types of sources: thermal or chemical
decomposition of formaldehyde-based resins, formaldehyde emission from aqueous solutions (for example,
embalming fluids), and the production of formaldehyde resulting from the combustion of a variety of organic
compounds (for example, exhaust gases). Formaldehyde can be toxic, allergenic, and carcinogenic. [11] Because
formaldehyde resins are used in many construction materials it is one of the more common indoor air
pollutants. At concentrations above 0.1 ppm in air formaldehyde can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes,
resulting in watery eyes. Formaldehyde inhaled at this concentration may cause headaches, a burning sensation
in the throat, and difficulty breathing, and can trigger or aggravate asthma symptoms.
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. A recent review of studies has shown a

strong association between exposure to formaldehyde and the development of childhood asthma. The primary
exposure concern is for the workers in the industries producing or using formaldehyde.
The formaldehyde theory of carcinogenesis was proposed in 1978. 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 associated with nasal sinus
cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer. Recent studies have also shown a positive correlation between exposure to
formaldehyde and the development of leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia. Nasopharyngeal and sinonasal
cancers are relatively rare, with a combined annual incidence in the United States of < 4,000 cases. About
25,000 cases of myeloid leukemia occur in the United States each year. Workplace exposure to inhaled
chemicals is among the most important risk factors for sinonasal cancers. 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. Other factors are important in determining
individual risk for the development of leukemia or nasopharyngeal cancer.
In the residential environment, formaldehyde exposure comes from a number of different routes; formaldehyde
can off-gas from wood products, such as plywood or particle board, but it is produced by paints, varnishes, floor
finishes, and cigarette smoking as well. In July 2016, the EPA released a prepublication version of its final rule
on Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products. These new rules will impact
manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of products containing composite wood, including fibreboard,
particleboard and various laminated products, who will need to comply with more stringent record-keeping and
labelling requirements.
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. 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. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has also announced limits on the formaldehyde levels in trailers purchased by that
agency. 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.