Abstract

Formaldehyde is one of the potent toxic industrial chemicals that are very commonly used in various industries, labs, and biological museums, etc. The toxicity of formaldehyde is well-known. It causes respiratory distress if inhaled in higher concentration thus, causing lung damage. It is also found to be mutagenic due to its rapid reactivity being a small molecule having electrophilic carbon. The current review focuses on the characteristic properties of formaldehyde, Sources, and uses of formaldehyde. This review further brings about the toxicity of formaldehyde on different organs and organ systems of the body. Its genotoxicity and carcinogenicity are described. And later the various ways of decontaminating the formaldehyde are discussed to neutralize its harmful impacts. From this review, we have concluded that formaldehyde is a highly toxic chemical that needs proper protective measures while handling and should not be directly exposed. There should be proper decontaminating agents for emergencies, where there is the mass production of formaldehyde.