Formaldehyde is a versatile, reactive substance, basic to the chemical industry because of its low cost and ease of production. It is manufactured by vapor‐phase oxidation of methanol using two principal processes. One method employs a pure silver catalyst and the other an iron molybdate catalyst. Several other processes are under development, but none have been commercialized. All processes are capital intensive, requiring integrated reaction, heat recovery, and purification systems to achieve optimum economic benefits. Formaldehyde is sold as concentrated, aqueous solutions, and may contain methanol to inhibit polymerization. It is also sold in alcohol solutions, which contain little water. Its principal uses are in the production of amino and phenolic resins, polyhydric alcohols, acetal resins, paraformaldehyde, and fertilizers. It reacts with numerous organic compounds in condensation‐type reactions, resulting in formation of one or more new carbon‐carbon bonds. In recent years, formaldehyde has come under increased scrutiny because of its potential negative health effects. It is an irritant to the eyes, nose, and throat, and is a suspected human carcinogen.

Formaldehyde is a versatile, reactive substance, basic to the chemical industry because of its low cost and ease of production. It is manufactured by vapor‐phase oxidation of methanol using two principal processes. One method employs a pure silver catalyst and the other an iron molybdate catalyst. Several other processes are under development, but none have been commercialized. All processes are capital intensive, requiring integrated reaction, heat recovery, and purification systems to achieve optimum economic benefits. Formaldehyde is sold as concentrated, aqueous solutions, and may contain methanol to inhibit polymerization. It is also sold in alcohol solutions, which contain little water. Its principal uses are in the production of amino and phenolic resins, polyhydric alcohols, acetal resins, paraformaldehyde, and fertilizers. It reacts with numerous organic compounds in condensation‐type reactions, resulting in formation of one or more new carbon‐carbon bonds. In recent years, formaldehyde has come under increased scrutiny because of its potential negative health effects. It is an irritant to the eyes, nose, and throat, and is a suspected human carcinogen.

Formaldehyde is the first of the series of aliphatic aldehydes. It was discovered by Butlerov in 1859 and has been manufactured since the beginning of the twentieth century. At ordinary temperatures formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. Because of its relatively low cost, high purity, and variety of chemical reactions, formaldehyde has become on of the world's most important industrial and research chemicals. Historically, formaldehyde has been and continues to be manufactured from methanol via the silver catalyst process or the the metal oxide catalyst process. New processes are under development. Sources of human exposure to formaldehyde are many, ie, engine exhaust, tobacco smoke, natural gas, waste incineration, etc. It is known to be a human carcinogen. Formaldehyde is a basic chemical building block for the production of a wide range of chemicals. Its biggest use is in the production of industrial resins; urea‐formaldhyde; phenol formaldehyde; and melamine formaldehyde. It is also used, eg, in the production of 1,4‐butanediol, polyols, chelating agents, slow release fertilizers, hexamethylenetetramine, and paraformaldehyde.