What is formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling, flammable chemical that is produced industrially and used in building materials such as particleboard, plywood, and other pressed-wood products. In addition, it is commonly used as a fungicide, germicide, and disinfectant, and as a preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories. Formaldehyde also occurs naturally in the environment. It is produced during the decay of plant material in the soil and during normal chemical processes in most living organisms. It is also a combustion product found in tobacco smoke.
How are people exposed to formaldehyde?
People are exposed primarily by inhaling formaldehyde gas or vapor from the air or by absorbing liquids containing formaldehyde through the skin. Workers who produce formaldehyde or products that contain formaldehyde as well as laboratory technicians, certain health care professionals, and mortuary employeesmay be exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde than people in the general population.
The general public may be exposed to formaldehyde by breathing contaminated air from sources such as pressed-wood products, tobacco smoke, and automobile tailpipe emissions. Another potential source of exposure to formaldehyde is the use of unvented fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, wood-burning stoves, and kerosene heaters.
Properties:
Formaldehyde can be liquid and gaseous forms and a solution of 37% to 40% can be prepared in liquid form, known as formalin thats, contains approximately 14.8% methanol.
Gas Properties:
Formaline has a sharp odor, and its vapor Density is 1.08 kg/cm3. Its boling point is -19°C and have -118 °C freezing point. Its autoignition temperature is 430°C.
Solubility and Properties:
Soluble in water and also in alcohol. Formaline with 37% conc. solution containing 15% methanol have the following properties:
Source:
-
Formaldehyde is prepared by the oxidation of synthetic methanol.
-
It can also be prepared by the oxidation of low-temperature gases such as propane and butane.
-
Silver, copper, and molybdenum are notable catalysts that play an important role in the oxidation process.
Formaline grades and types:
Precautions:
Applications:
-
Used in various product manufacturing processes such as Preparation of urea and melamine resins.
-
Used in the production of phenolic resins and ethylene glycol and Serves as a hardening agent.
-
Employed in dye-making
-
Acts as a reducing agent.
-
Used in the manufacturing of various disinfectant products.
-
Applied in textile fabrics.
-
Utilized in various adhesive formulations as well in coating industry.
-
Employed in the cosmetics industry.
-
Importantly, used as a preservative agent.
