Uses of formaldehyde: Overview, Questions, Preparation

A basic chemical compound consisting of Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Carbon is formaldehyde. As part of cell metabolism, all life forms - bacteria, fungi, fish, animals, and humans, spontaneously contain formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is perhaps better known for its preservative and anti-bacterial qualities, but many value-added products are produced using formaldehyde-based chemistry. Formaldehyde is one of the most well-studied and well-understood chemicals.

In developing hundreds of products that enrich daily life, formaldehyde is an essential building block chemical. In the final goods which customers use, few, if any, formaldehyde remains.

Design and Construction

Formaldehyde-based resins are used widely in cabinetry, countertops, moldings, cabinets, shelving, stair systems, flooring, wall sheathing, support beams, and trusses many other home furnishings and structures to create composite and fabricated wood products.

Health Care Uses

Formaldehyde has a long tradition of safe use in the manufacturing of hard-gel tablets, vaccines, and anti-infective medicines.

Personal care and consumer goods

Chemistry dependent on formaldehyde is vital for the manufacture of much personal care and consumer products.

Automobiles

The technology of formaldehyde helps make automobiles lighter and more energy-efficient. Resins based on formaldehyde are used to render interior molded parts and components under the hood that need to withstand high temperatures.

It is used in fruit, painting, and cosmetics as a preservative. Formaldehyde is also used in pharmacy as an antiseptic, funeral home disinfectant. It is also used to produce RDX. It is used in the petroleum and natural gas industry to increase fuel yields. It is used in the processing of ink as well.

In Carbon and its compounds, you will get to learn about this in detail. The weightage of this chapter is 4-5 marks.

In Aldehyde, Ketone, and Carboxylic acid, you will get to learn about it in detail. The weightage of this chapter is 3-4 marks.

1. Does formaldehyde eliminate baking soda?

Answer: It is often made more flammable by formaldehyde in clothes, which can cause contact dermatitis. Chemical preparation can be removed by cleaning. Baking soda absorbs any of it but does not neutralize it. In liquids, formaldehyde is easily soluble.

2. In hospitals, what is formaldehyde used for?

Answer: Formaldehyde is used as a disinfectant in laboratories both as an anatomical specimen fixative and preservative. 

3. Does formaldehyde have color and odor?

Answer: Formaldehyde is a colorless compound that is widely used in many industrial processes with a potent pickle-like odor.

Q: Why is formaldehyde used?

Q: What is the usage of a solution of formaldehyde?

Q: Is formaldehyde used as a disinfectant?

Q: What foods are formaldehyde-containing?

Q: What is another name of formaldehyde?