The chemical compound formalin is used as a what?
Formalin is a solution in water of the gas formaldehyde (CH2O). A saturated solution contains about 40% by volume or 37% by weight of the gas, plus a small amount of a stabilizer, usually 10-12% methanol; this prevents polymerization. The liquid is used as an embalming fluid and for the preservation of animal specimens and tissue samples.
It is also used, generally in a much more dilute form, as a disinfectant, and anti-bacterial wash and in aquariums for treating parasite infections in fish. The disinfectant properties of the solution are due to the presence of formaldehyde, which also gives it a pungent, irritating smell.
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What are your thoughts on this subject?
7 Comments
Georgia Kemp
AKA glutaldehyde.
jack patti go
My first husband worked in the funeral business! Nasty smelling stuff!
deborahpmercer
Very good question about an unpleasant, but probably necessary substance!
Mampela Mpela
Used to preserve human tissues and organs
Joseph A. Robitaille
An outstanding question and answer. A well done.
William Laughlin
Joan Norris Brigham,
You are correct. There are trace amounts of formaldehyde in vaccines administered "to CHILDREN", but stop your gasping.
Formaldehyde is a natural byproduct of decomposition, and as such is found in very small amounts in most living organisms, from plants to animals, including humans. 
In the limited quantities involved in natural exposure, as occurs when formaldehyde is produced, inhaled or ingested in tiny amounts, the chemical is rapidly broken down by specialized enzymes in the body and is either breathed out as CO2 or excreted in urine.
Residual levels of free formaldehyde, up to 0.02% is permitted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), used as a stabilizer or an inactivating ingredient, are found in vaccines against anthrax, diphtheria, hepatitis A, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, and tetanus. In addition to exposure via vaccines, today’s children and adults are exposed to much higher levels of the compound in general than were previously encountered. Formaldehyde is commonly found in many products and processes of industrialized society, where unsafe levels of the toxic gas may be inhaled, as with exposure to first- or second-hand cigarette smoke or to outgassing from preserved wood products or carpeting, applied unknowingly along with cosmetics or hair products.
In any of its many guises, in addition to formalin, formaldehyde also may be listed as formic aldehyde, methanediol, methanal, methyl aldehyde, methylene glycol or methylene oxide, not to mention other preservative chemicals known to release the gas as a byproduct, formaldehyde exposure is unavoidable in today’s world. It is encountered in cigarette smoke, gas stoves, and fireplaces; as a preservative in some foods; in household products including dish detergents and fabric softeners; medicines, cosmetics and hair products; glues and other adhesives; paper, plastics and wood products. It is also used in the manufacturing process for myriad products including fertilizers, paper, plywood, latex, leather, rubber, photographic film and processing, and sugar.
It helps to do some research before you isolate vaccines alone, as a source of harm because they contain small amounts of formaldehyde. It makes you sound like an anti-vaxxer, uninformed and alarmist.
John Seiple
I saw formaldehyde on the label. 👍