Description
Formaldehyde solution, commonly known as formalin, is a solution of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water. It typically contains 37% formaldehyde by mass and is stabilized with methanol to prevent polymerization. Formalin is a versatile chemical used in various industries, including healthcare, pathology, histology, and biology.
In healthcare and laboratories, formalin serves as a fixative for preserving biological tissues and specimens, preventing decomposition and maintaining structural integrity for microscopic examination. It is widely used in histology for tissue processing and embedding, as well as in pathology for tissue sectioning and staining. Formalin also finds applications in disinfection, sterilization, and as a biocide in laboratory settings.