What is the composition of formaldehyde?

The chemical formula of formaldehyde is CH2O: it has one carbon (C) atom, two hydrogen (H) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom. Its chemical formula can also be written as HCHO, and its chemical structure is shown here. The chemical structure of formaldehyde that is shown on screen can be written two ways.

What are chemical properties of formaldehyde?

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES Formaldehyde is a flammable, colorless gas at room temperature and has a pungent, suffocating odor (Budavari et al. 1989). Odor thresholds ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 parts per million (ppm) (ATSDR 1999) and 0.06 to 0.5 ppm (Gerberich et al. 1994) have been reported.

What is the chemical formaldehyde used for?

Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling, colorless 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 fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials.

What makes formaldehyde a toxic substance?

The exact mechanism of action of formaldehyde toxicity is not clear, but it is known that it can interact with molecules on cell membranes and in body tissues and fluids (e.g., proteins and DNA) and disrupt cellular functions. High concentrations cause precipitation of proteins, which results in cell death.

What is the pH of formaldehyde?

Like all aldehydes, formaldehyde absorbs oxygen comparatively readily even from the air and is thereby oxidised to formic acid. Solutions of formaldehyde attain fairly rapidly and maintain a pH of 3.5 or even of 3.

How much formaldehyde is toxic?

Ingestion. Ingestion of as little as 30 mL (1 oz.) of a solution containing 37\% formaldehyde has been reported to cause death in an adult.

Is formaldehyde toxic to humans?

Health Effects of Formaldehyde Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers. Learn more from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry about the health effects of formaldehyde exposure.

Is formaldehyde same as formalin?

Formalin is an alternative name for an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, but the latter name is preferred, since formalin is also used as a brand name in some countries. Free formaldehyde is used in cosmetics, especially in hair shampoos, and in many disinfectants and antiseptics.