What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas or liquid that has a pungent, suffocating odor. It is a volatile organic compound, which is an organic compound that easily becomes a vapor or gas. It is also naturally produced in small, harmless amounts in the human body. The chemical symbol for formaldehyde is CH₂O. 

Formaldehyde is released into the air by burning wood, kerosene, or natural gas; from automobiles; and from cigarettes and other tobacco products. It is found in the air at home, at work, and outdoors, especially in smog. It is also found in some foods. 

Formaldehyde is used as a tissue preservative in medical laboratories, and as an embalming fluid in mortuaries. It is also used as a preservative in some foods, and as an antibacterial ingredient in cosmetics, household antiseptics, medicines, dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, carpet cleaners, lacquers, and wood products. It is used as a preservative in some paints, paper coatings, and cosmetics; in the permanent press coating on fabrics; in carpets; and in some foam insulation materials. 

Formaldehyde is used industrially in the manufacturing of other chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, latex rubber, photographic film, and preservatives; in glues and adhesives for pressed wood products such as particle board and plywood; in leather tanning; and as an industrial fungicide, germicide, and disinfectant.

You can be exposed to formaldehyde by breathing it or absorbing it through your skin. You can be exposed by breathing indoor or outdoor air that contains it, especially smog. You can also be exposed by smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products, breathing cigarette and other tobacco smoke, or breathing smoke from gas cookers and open fireplaces. 

You can be exposed to formaldehyde at home if you use unvented gas or kerosene heaters indoors. You can be exposed by using household products such as construction materials, latex paints, fingernail polish, cosmetics, disinfectants, glues, lacquers, manufactured pressed wood products, fiberglass, new carpets, permanent press fabrics, paper products, and some cleaners. 

You can be exposed to formaldehyde at work if you work in a hospital, laboratory, mortuary, or chemical plant. You can be exposed to higher amounts of formaldehyde if you are a doctor, nurse, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist, pathologist, embalmer, clothing or furniture factory worker, or teacher or student working in a laboratory with preserved specimens.

Formaldehyde is listed as a substance "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" in the Eleventh Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program because long-term exposure has been linked to increased cancer of the nose and throat. Drinking large amounts of formaldehyde can cause coma and death due to respiratory failure. Drinking formaldehyde can also cause convulsions, intense pain in the mouth and stomach, nausea, vomiting, signs of shock, vertigo, stupor, and diarrhea. Direct contact of the eyes with formaldehyde can cause permanent eye damage or loss of vision. 

Exposure to high levels of formaldehyde can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs, severe shortness of breath, bronchitis, and rapid heart rate. Continued exposure can also cause severe allergic reactions of the skin and eyes, skin allergies and rashes, and asthma-like allergies with coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and a drop in body temperature. 

Exposure to low levels of formaldehyde can irritate and burn the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. In women, exposure can cause menstrual disorders. People with asthma may be more sensitive to exposure to formaldehyde.

Locations where Formaldehyde may be found
City	Farm	Town	U.S.-Mexico Border	Port
Brownfield Dental Office and Lab Drinking Water Factory Homes Hospital Offices and Stores Outdoor Air Park River School School Bus Vehicles	Barn and Silo Chemical Storage Tank Drinking Water Homes Landfill Off-road Vehicles Outdoor Air Shed Vehicles	Drinking Water Factory Homes Offices and Stores Outdoor Air Park River School School Bus Vehicles	Auto Shop Drinking Water Homes Illegal Dumps and Tire Piles Maquiladora Outdoor Air Park River Stormwater and Sewage Vehicles	Beach Chemical Storage Tank Coastal Brownfield Drinking Water Homes Marina and Boats Offices and Stores Outdoor Air River Shipping Shipyard Storms and Floods Stormwater and Sewage Urban and Industrial Runoff Vehicles

Last Updated: November 06, 2008