Formaldehyde is a widely produced chemical with diverse applications. Primarily used for producing resins, it finds its way into various industries like wood products, paper, textiles, and building construction. It serves as a disinfectant and fumigant in diluted form, and a preservative for tissue samples in concentrated form (formalin). Naturally occurring in the environment due to processes like methane breakdown and forest fires, formaldehyde quickly breaks down through sunlight, rain, and biodegradation.