Formaldehyde (CED0000586)

Record Information

Version

1.0

Creation Date

2009-03-06 18:58:21 UTC

Update Date

2026-05-14 17:55:13 UTC

Accession Number

CHEM000213

Identification

Common Name

Formaldehyde

Class

Small Molecule

Description

Formaldehyde belongs to the carbonyl compounds, a subclass of organooxygen compounds within the organic compounds. It has the chemical formula CH2O and an average molecular weight of 30.03 g/mol. At room temperature, this exogenous compound exists as a liquid. Formaldehyde serves diverse industrial and biological roles. It is used as a biocide, binder, preservative, adhesive (PMC12259876), fungicide (PMC3136160), and reducing agent (PMC7711730, PMC8003255, PMC8426366). Additionally, it functions as a monomer, an electron donor (PMC6648437), an adhesion/cohesion promoter, and an insulator. In biological contexts, it acts as an allergen, a metabolite (PMC7618990), a carcinogenic agent, and an inhibitor of EC 3.5.1.4 (amidase). It is also utilized as a disinfectant. The compound is released from 69 recorded sources, including building and construction materials (roofs, floors, ceilings), food processing, pesticides, and household cleaning products. It is used in Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and released in Polypropylene, Polyamide, and Polyethylene Terephthalate. Exposure occurs via touch, oral intake, and inhalation (PMC10005944, PMC11938325, PMC13309467, PMC3701998, PMC4097170, PMC4365752), as well as through smoking (PMC11938325). Formaldehyde is detected in numerous tissues, including the brain, liver, lung, kidney, and skin. It targets the D-alanyl-D-alanine carboxypeptidase and Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1 (TRPA1), and it forms cross links between protein and DNA. Health effects include cancer (PMC10005944, PMC10218431, PMC12388048, PMC12909993, PMC2891118, PMC3923370, PMC4949043, PMC7610456, PMC8869180, PMC9104621, PMC9925107), leukemia (PMC3852791, PMC4097170, PMC8375462), myeloid leukemia (PMC12259876), and increased lung cancer (PMC3136160). Other associated conditions include asthma (PMC12337040, PMC1241209, PMC7722407), allergic contact dermatitis (PMC1456588, PMC9299984), pulmonary edema (PMC8215519), renal failure (PMC12986066), and increased blood pressure (PMC9498982).

Contaminant Type

Aldehyde
Cigarette Toxin
Cosmetic Toxin
Disinfectant
Fixative
Food Toxin
Household Toxin
Industrial Precursor/Intermediate
Industrial/Workplace Toxin
Lachrymator
Metabolite
Natural Compound
Organic Compound
Pesticide
Pollutant

Chemical Structure

MOL SDF PDB SMILES InChI

Synonyms

Value	Source
Formaldehyd	ChEBI
FORMALIN	ChEBI
Methanal	ChEBI
Methylene oxide	ChEBI
Oxomethane	ChEBI
Oxomethylene	ChEBI
Hyperband	Kegg
Formol	MeSH
Methaldehyde	HMDB
Methylene glycol	HMDB
Aldeide formica	HMDB
Fannoform	HMDB
Formalina	HMDB
Formaline	HMDB
Formalith	HMDB
Formic aldehyde	HMDB
Paraform	HMDB

Chemical Formula

CH₂O

Average Molecular Mass

30.026 g/mol

Monoisotopic Mass

30.011 g/mol

CAS Registry Number

50-00-0

IUPAC Name

formaldehyde

Traditional Name

formaldehyde

SMILES

C=O

InChI Identifier

InChI=1S/CH2O/c1-2/h1H2

InChI Key

WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Chemical Taxonomy

Description

Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as carbonyl compounds. These are organic compounds containing a carbonyl group, with the general structure RC(=O)R', where R=organyl, R'=H, N, O, organyl group or halide group.

Kingdom

Organic compounds

Super Class

Organic oxygen compounds

Class

Organooxygen compounds

Sub Class

Carbonyl compounds

Direct Parent

Carbonyl compounds

Alternative Parents

Substituents

Organic oxide
Hydrocarbon derivative
Carbonyl group
Aliphatic acyclic compound

Molecular Framework

Aliphatic acyclic compounds

External Descriptors

one-carbon compound (CHEBI:16842 )
aldehyde (CHEBI:16842 )
an <i>n</i>-alkanal (FORMALDEHYDE )

Biological Properties

Status

Detected and Not Quantified

Origin

Exogenous

Cellular Locations

Cytoplasm
Extracellular
Lysosome
Mitochondria
Peroxisome

Biofluid Locations

Not Available

Tissue Locations

Adipose Tissue
Adrenal Cortex
Adrenal Gland
Adrenal Medulla
Bladder
Bone Marrow
Brain
Fibroblasts
Gonads
Intestine
Kidney
Liver
Lung
Muscle
Myelin
Nerve Cells
Neuron
Pancreas
Placenta
Platelet
Prostate
Skeletal Muscle
Skin

Applications

disinfectant

Biological Roles

Chemical Roles

Organoleptic Effects

Not Available

Physical Properties

State

Liquid

Appearance

Not Available

Experimental Properties

Property	Value
Melting Point	-92°C
Boiling Point	Not Available
Solubility	400 mg/mL at 20°C [PICKRELL,JA et al. (1983)]

Predicted Properties

Property	Value	Source
Water Solubility	198 g/L	ALOGPS
logP	-0.68	ALOGPS
logP	-0.47	ChemAxon
logS	0.82	ALOGPS
pKa (Strongest Basic)	-8.1	ChemAxon
Physiological Charge	0	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count	1	ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count	0	ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area	17.07 Å²	ChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count	0	ChemAxon
Refractivity	6.31 m³·mol⁻¹	ChemAxon
Polarizability	2.58 Å³	ChemAxon
Number of Rings	0	ChemAxon
Bioavailability	Yes	ChemAxon
Rule of Five	Yes	ChemAxon
Ghose Filter	No	ChemAxon
Veber's Rule	Yes	ChemAxon
MDDR-like Rule	No	ChemAxon

Spectra

Spectrum Type	Description	Splash Key	Deposition Date	View
Predicted GC-MS	Predicted GC-MS Spectrum	splash10-001i-9000000000-2863df3346e6e0796248	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted GC-MS	Predicted GC-MS Spectrum	Not Available	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-001i-9000000000-793a330f9e6c7661e86d	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-001i-9000000000-793a330f9e6c7661e86d	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-001i-9000000000-793a330f9e6c7661e86d	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-004i-9000000000-5ea4ad4bdb0565b737bb	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-004i-9000000000-5ea4ad4bdb0565b737bb	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-004i-9000000000-5ea4ad4bdb0565b737bb	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-004i-9000000000-1534590d4d03d9b463f5	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-004i-9000000000-1534590d4d03d9b463f5	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-004i-9000000000-1534590d4d03d9b463f5	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-001i-9000000000-eaca5f454fe5238ba078	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-001i-9000000000-eaca5f454fe5238ba078	Not Available	View Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MS	Predicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum	splash10-001i-9000000000-eaca5f454fe5238ba078	Not Available	View Spectrum
MS	MS Spectrum	splash10-004i-9000000000-58b4df664ee160d1f943	Not Available	View Spectrum
1D NMR	¹H NMR Spectrum (1D, D₂O, predicted)	Not Available	Not Available	View Spectrum

Toxicity Profile

Mechanism of Toxicity

It is likely that formaldehyde toxicity occurs when intracellular levels saturate formaldehyde dehydrogenase activity, allowing the unmetabolized intact molecule to exert its effects. Formaldehyde is known to form cross links between protein and DNA and undergo metabolic incorporation into macromolecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins). (24)

Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)

1, carcinogenic to humans. (23)

Minimum Risk Level

Acute Inhalation: 0.04 ppm (22) Intermediate Inhalation: 0.03 ppm (22) Chronic Inhalation: 0.008 ppm (22) Intermediate Oral: 0.3 mg/kg/day (22) Chronic Oral: 0.2 mg/kg/day (22)

Symptoms

Low levels of formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. (24)

Treatment

Not Available

Toxicity Values

Toxicity Value	Unit	Value Range	Organism	Dose Descriptor	Route of Exposure	Predicted or Experimental	Reference
300.0	mg/kg	Not Available	Mouse	LD50	Subcutaneous	experimental	T13
42.0	mg/kg	Not Available	Mouse	LD50	Oral	experimental	T13
87.0	mg/kg	Not Available	Rat	LD50	Intravenous	experimental	T13
16.0	mg/kg	Not Available	Mouse	LD50	Intraperitoneal	experimental	T29
0.414	mg/L	Not Available	Mouse	LC50	Inhalation (4 hours)	experimental	A115

Health Effects

Health Effect	Relationship	Direction	Reference
lung cancer	associated_with	increase	PMC3136160 , PMC3136160 , PMC3136160 , PMC3136160
blood pressure	associated_with	increase	PMC9498982
cancer	associated_with	Not Available	PMC10005944 , PMC10218431 , PMC12388048 , PMC12909993 , PMC2891118 , PMC3923370 , PMC4949043 , PMC7610456 , PMC8869180 , PMC9104621 , PMC9925107
dizziness	associated_with	Not Available	PMC11938325
pulmonary edema	associated_with	Not Available	PMC8215519
renal failure	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12986066
bronchitis	associated_with	Not Available	PMC9299984
fatigue	associated_with	Not Available	PMC8509433
asthma	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12337040 , PMC1241209 , PMC7722407 , PMC7722407
diarrhea	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12986066
bleeding	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12986066
leukemia	associated_with	Not Available	PMC3852791 , PMC4097170 , PMC8375462
anxiety	associated_with	Not Available	PMC8509433
nausea	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12986066 , PMC9318620
vomiting	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12986066
chronic kidney disease	associated_with	Not Available	PMC11938325
allergic contact dermatitis	associated_with	Not Available	PMC1456588 , PMC9299984
pneumonia	associated_with	Not Available	PMC9299984
chronic inflammation	associated_with	Not Available	PMC11938325
dermatitis	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12259876 , PMC7418231
proteinuria	associated_with	Not Available	PMC11938325
myeloid leukemia	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12259876
hyperglycemia	associated_with	Not Available	PMC11938325
jaundice	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12986066
contact dermatitis	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12495461
glomerulonephritis	associated_with	Not Available	PMC12986066
chest tightness	associated_with	Not Available	PMC9299984
sick building syndrome	associated_with	increase	PMC3709330
sick building syndrome	associated_with	Not Available	PMC4970061

Exposure Sources

Source ID	Source	Sector	Reference
7	Pesticides	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
10	Insecticides	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
233	Brushes	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
490		Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
494	Food contact materials	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
495	Ceilings	Building & Construction	Not Available
496	Fencing	Building & Construction	Not Available
497	Floors	Building & Construction	Not Available
499	Roofs	Building & Construction	Not Available
500	Stairs And Ramps	Building & Construction	Not Available
501	Sunshades Awnings Or Outside Screens	Building & Construction	Not Available
502	Sunshades Awnings Or Outside Screens	Building & Construction	Not Available
503	Tents Or Canopies	Building & Construction	Not Available
504	Adjustable Resistors	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
505	Amplifiers	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
506	Antennas	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
507	Auxiliary Devices	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
508	Coils	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
509	Colour Television Systems	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
510	Communication Cables Or Conductors	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
511	Conductors Or Conductive Bodies Characterised By The Conductive Materials	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
512	Contacts	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
513	Cores Yokes Or Armatures	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
514	Discharge Lamps	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
515	Discharge Tubes With Liquid Pool Cathodes	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
516	Electric Hearing Aids	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
517	Electric Switches	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
518	Electrically Stimulated Smoking Devices	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
519	Electrodes	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
520	Emergency Protective Devices	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
521	Fixed Capacitors And Their Manufacture	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
523	Gas Filled Discharge Tubes With Solid Cathode	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
524	Hybrid Capacitors	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
525	Line Transmission Systems	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
526	Loudspeakers	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
527	Magnets	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
528	Microphones	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
529	Power Cables	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
530	Radio Transmission Systems	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
531	Relays	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
533	Sparking Plugs	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
534	Still Video Cameras	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
535	Superconducting Magnets And Superconducting Coils	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
536	Superconductive Or Hyperconductive Conductors Cables Or Transmission Lines	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
537	Television Systems	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
538	Thin Magnetic Films	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
539	Video Games	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
540	X Ray Tubes	Electrical & Electronic Equipment	Not Available
544	Fermentation Processes For Beer	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
545	Food Preservation	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
547	Preparation Of Malt	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
548	Preparation Of Vinegar	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
549	Preparation Of Wine Or Sparkling Wine	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
550	Preparation Of Wort	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
551	Processing Fish	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
552	Processing Meats	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
553	Treatment Of Hops	Food, food processing & cookware	Not Available
554	Ash Trays	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
555	Bleaching Agents	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
556	Cigar Cigarettes	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
559	Non Electric Simulated Smoking Devices	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
560	Other Smoking Requisites	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
561	Perfumes Within Detergents And Soaps	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
562	Pipe Accessories	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
563	Soap Detergents	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
564	Soap Dispensers	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
566	Tobacco Pipes	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
567	Tobacco Product Cases	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
569	Tobacco Smoke Filters	Household cleaning & consumer products	Not Available
572	Credit Card Holders	Household items	Not Available
573	Key Rings	Household items	Not Available
577	Watch Chains	Household items	Not Available
578	Making Cigars	Industrial manufacturing & chemical processing	Not Available
579	Manufacture Of Iron Or Steel	Industrial manufacturing & chemical processing	Not Available
580	Manufacture Preparation Of Tobacco Products	Industrial manufacturing & chemical processing	Not Available
581	Paper Making Machines	Industrial manufacturing & chemical processing	Not Available
583	Anchoring Equipment	Marine, shipping & aquaculture	Not Available
584	Buoys	Marine, shipping & aquaculture	Not Available
591	Lifeboats	Marine, shipping & aquaculture	Not Available
592	Marine Propulsion Or Steering	Marine, shipping & aquaculture	Not Available
593	Nautical Instruments	Marine, shipping & aquaculture	Not Available
594	Ship Hulls	Marine, shipping & aquaculture	Not Available
596	Acaricides	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
597	Chemosterilants	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
598	Fertiliser Distributors	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
600	Herbicides And Algicides	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
601	Lawn Mowers	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
602	Molluscicides	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
603	Nematocides	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
604	Pest Attractants	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
605	Pest Repellants	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
606	Plant Growth Regulators	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
607	Rodenticides(1)	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
608	Rodenticides	Agriculture & land management	Not Available
609	Aftershave	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
610	Aftersun Products	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
611	Anti Perspirants Or Body Deoderants	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
612	Body Washing Or Cleaning Implements	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
613	Depilatories	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
614	Essential Oils Or Perfumes	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
615	Eye Makeup Products	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
616	Face Mask Cosmetics	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
617	Lip Care Products	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
618	Lip Makeup Products	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
619	Manicure Pedicure	Personal care & cosmetics	Not Available
620	Card Games	Recreation & sports surfaces	Not Available
622	Game Accessories	Recreation & sports surfaces	Not Available
625	Racing Sports	Recreation & sports surfaces	Not Available
630	Toys	Recreation & sports surfaces	Not Available
631	Anthraquinone Dyes	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
632	Apparel	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
633	Azo Dyes	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
634	Buckles	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
635	Buttons	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
638	Decorating Textiles	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
639	Degreasing Leather	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
640	Embroidering And Tufting	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
641	Foam Dyeing	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
642	Footwear	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
643	Headwear	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
645	Inorganic Fibres	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
647	Multicolour Dyeing	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
648	Nitro Dyes	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
650	Purses Luggage Hand Bags	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
652	Ropes	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
653	Sewing	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
655	Slide Fasteners	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
656	Snap Fasteners	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
657	Surface Finishing Of Leather	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
658	Touch Fasteners	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
659	Transfer Printing	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
661	Umbrellas	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
662	Yarns Or Threads	Textiles, leather & furnishings	Not Available
663	Sanitary Equipment	Wastewater, sanitation & biosolids	Not Available