Formaldehyde is a colorless and transparent liquid with a strong pungent and suffocating odor.It is commercially available as an aqueous solution of 37% formaldehyde (formalin), containing 7–15% methanol as a stabilizer.It exhibits strong reducibility, corrosivity, sensitization, and carcinogenicity.

1. Chemical raw material: Used in the production of plastics such as phenolic resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine resin and polyoxymethylene.

2. Wood processing: Used as an adhesive for the manufacture of plywood, fiberboard and furniture.

3. Textile industry: Used for wrinkle resistance and shrinkage control of fabrics (resin finishing).

4. Antiseptic and disinfection: Formalin (40% solution) is used for biological specimen fixation and disinfection of medical devices.

5. Organic synthesis: Used in the production of intermediates such as pentaerythritol, urotropine, dyestuffs and pesticides.