Embalming Chemistry: Formaldehyde

When was formaldehyde first thought discovered, and when was it formally identified?

Formaldehyde is a colorless toxic gas with a disagreeable odor. When dissolved in water, what happens to the vapor?

Formaldehyde is known to be quite reactive and its propensity to polymerize into _____ was quite interesting.

Formaldehyde is commercially sold as what percentage solution in water, typically stabilized by methanol?

Aqueous solutions of formaldehyde are commonly referred to as formalin. What chemical compound are they primarily composed of in solution, rather than pure formaldehyde?

Who is thought to have first discovered formaldehyde in Russia in 1859?

Who formally identified formaldehyde in 1869 at the University of Berlin?

In its basic, pure form, what state of matter is formaldehyde?

What liquid mixture consists of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water?

What percentage range of methyl alcohol (methanol) is typically added to formaldehyde solutions to prevent polymerization?

The addition of which substance typically causes an aqueous formaldehyde solution to be specifically termed 'formalin'?

What is the solid form of formaldehyde called?

Due to the potential hazards associated with formaldehyde use, what does OSHA specifically require employers to perform?

What is the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) set by OSHA for formaldehyde, expressed as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)?

What is the Short-Term Exposure Level (STEL) set by OSHA for formaldehyde, measured over a maximum 15-minute period?

What is the Action Level set by OSHA for formaldehyde, expressed as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)?

In what year was the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard passed?

What time duration and work week schedule does the PEL (0.75 ppm) for formaldehyde typically apply to?

What is the maximum time duration over which the STEL (2.0 ppm) for formaldehyde exposure is measured?

What time duration is the Action Level (0.5 ppm) for formaldehyde exposure measured over?

True or False: If workplace exposure to formaldehyde exceeds any of the OSHA standard limits (PEL, STEL, or Action Level), modifications are required to lower employee exposure.

Formaldehyde itself exists in what state of matter?

Formalin exists in what state of matter?

Paraformaldehyde exists in what state of matter?

What is the name of the white solid substance that is known to collect at the bottom of formalin solutions?

Acidity can promote the formation of paraformaldehyde. To counteract this, formalin solutions are typically buffered to what approximate pH range?

Besides buffering, what common additive helps prevent the formation of paraformaldehyde in formalin solutions?

The concentration of commercial formaldehyde solutions is often expressed as 'Index'. What units does the Index typically represent?

How many grams of formaldehyde gas are present in 100 mL of an aqueous solution that has a 20 Index?

What is the typical formaldehyde index range for embalming fluids described as 'Low', often used for decedents with low moisture content?

What is the typical formaldehyde index range for embalming fluids described as 'Medium', suitable for cases with normal moisture content?

What is the typical formaldehyde index range for embalming fluids described as 'High', used for cases with high moisture content like edema?

High Index formalin is considered _____ relative to body cells and is often used when dehydrating the tissue is desirable.

Low index formalin is considered _____ relative to body cells and is used when hydrating the tissues is desired.

Beyond moisture control, why might a high index formaldehyde solution be preferred in cases of advanced decomposition?

What substance is formed from the reaction between ammonia and formaldehyde?

What common household chemical is effective for neutralizing and cleaning up formaldehyde spills?

What is the common name for the dialdehyde C5H8O2, often used in embalming and as a cold sterilant?

What is the IUPAC (systematic) name for glutaraldehyde?

What are two advantages of using glutaraldehyde compared to formaldehyde in certain applications?

List some advantageous properties of Glutaraldehyde.

What is the molecular formula for Glutaraldehyde?

Glutaraldehyde solutions are known to be effective at killing which specific virus?

For disinfection purposes, how long should items typically be immersed in a 2% glutaraldehyde solution?

For sterilization, what is the recommended range for immersion time in a 2% glutaraldehyde solution?

Sterilization achieved through immersion in glutaraldehyde solution at room temperature is known as what type of sterilization?

What is a common method for achieving hot sterilization, often used for heat-resistant items?

What specific immersion time in glutaraldehyde is sometimes cited as required for sterilization?

What minimum exposure time to glutaraldehyde is typically needed to effectively kill bacterial spores?

Before instruments are immersed in glutaraldehyde solution for disinfection or sterilization, what condition must they meet?

In chemical identification, what does the acronym CAS stand for?

What is the primary function of the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)?

CAS began assigning unique numbers to chemical substances described in the scientific literature starting from what year?

Approximately how many unique organic/inorganic substances and protein/DNA sequences does the CAS Registry identify?

When was formaldehyde discovered and when was it conclusively identified?

Formaldehyde is a colorless toxic gas with a disagreeable odor. When dissolved in water, vapor is _____

Formaldehyde is known to be quite reactive and its propensity to polymerize into ____________ was quite interesting.

Formaldehyde is sold as a _____ solution in water, stabilized by methanol.

Aqueous solutions of formaldehyde are commonly referred to as formalin. Chemically, in water, formaldehyde primarily exists as what compound?

Formaldehyde was thought first discovered by _____ in Russia, in 1859.

Formaldehyde wasn't formally identified until 1869 at the University of Berlin by Professor _____.

In its basic form, what state of matter is formaldehyde?

The most common concentration of formaldehyde in aqueous solution (formalin) is _____ by weight.

What is the common name for the liquid mixture of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water?

To prevent the polymerization of formaldehyde solution into paraformaldehyde, about _____ is added as a stabilizer.

It is the addition of _____ that causes the stabilized aqueous formaldehyde solution to be called formalin.

What is the solid, polymerized form of formaldehyde called?

Due to the health risks associated with formaldehyde, what monitoring does OSHA require in workplaces where it is used?

What is the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for formaldehyde, averaged over an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA)?

What is the OSHA Short-Term Exposure Level (STEL) for formaldehyde, which should not be exceeded during any 15-minute period?

What is the OSHA Action Level for formaldehyde, averaged over an 8-hour TWA, which triggers requirements like exposure monitoring and medical surveillance?

In what year was the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard passed?

What is the time period over which the formaldehyde PEL of 0.75 ppm is averaged?

What is the maximum time duration for exposure at the STEL of 2.0 ppm for formaldehyde?

What is the time period over which the formaldehyde Action Level of 0.5 ppm is averaged?

True or False: If workplace exposure to formaldehyde exceeds any of the OSHA standard limits (PEL, STEL, Action Level), the employer must implement changes to reduce employee exposure.

In its pure form, formaldehyde is a _____

Formalin, the aqueous solution of formaldehyde, is a _____

Paraformaldehyde, the polymerized form of formaldehyde, is a _____

_____ is a white solid that often collects on the bottom of formalin solutions due to polymerization.

Since acidity promotes paraformaldehyde formation, formalin is typically buffered to an approximate pH range of _____.

Besides buffering, _____ is added to formalin solutions to prevent paraformaldehyde formation.

Formaldehyde concentration in embalming fluids is often expressed by its Index. What does Index represent?

A formaldehyde solution with a 20 Index contains _____ grams of formaldehyde in 100 mLs of solution.

If an embalming fluid has a formaldehyde index of 20, how many grams of formaldehyde are present per 100 mL?

What formaldehyde index range is typically considered 'Low', often used for decedents with low moisture content?

What formaldehyde index range is typically considered 'Medium', suitable for cases with normal moisture content?

What formaldehyde index range is considered 'High', often applied in cases with high moisture content (edema) or advanced decomposition?

High Index fluids (_____ to the cells) are used when drawing moisture out of the tissues (dehydration) is desirable.

Low index fluids (_____ to the cells) may be used when adding moisture to or hydrating the tissues is desired.

Besides cases with high moisture, when else might a high index formaldehyde solution be particularly useful?

What substance is formed when ammonia reacts with formaldehyde?

What common household chemical can be used to neutralize spilled formaldehyde?

What specific brand of ammonia was mentioned by Dr. Pugel in the context of formaldehyde neutralization?

Besides formaldehyde, what other aldehyde is commonly used in embalming fluids and as a cold sterilant?

What is the IUPAC (Systematic) name for glutaraldehyde?

What are two advantages of using glutaraldehyde in embalming fluids compared to formaldehyde?

List three properties or advantages of glutaraldehyde.

What is the molecular formula for Glutaraldehyde?

Glutaraldehyde is known to be effective at killing many microorganisms, including which notable virus?

For disinfection purposes, how long should instruments typically be immersed in a 2% glutaraldehyde solution?

For sterilization purposes, what is the typical immersion time required in a 2% glutaraldehyde solution?

Sterilization using glutaraldehyde immersion at room temperature is referred to as what type of sterilization?

What is a common method used for hot (heat-based) sterilization?

To achieve sterilization, approximately how many hours of immersion in glutaraldehyde are typically required?

How long an exposure time to glutaraldehyde is typically required to kill bacterial spores?

If instruments only need to be disinfected (not sterilized), how long might cold sterilization with glutaraldehyde take according to some protocols?

What must be done to instruments before they are immersed in glutaraldehyde solution for disinfection or sterilization?

What organization does the acronym CAS stand for?

What is the primary function of the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)?

CAS has assigned unique numbers to chemical substances described in scientific literature covering what time period?

Approximately how many unique organic/inorganic substances and protein/DNA sequences does the CAS Number system identify?

When was formaldehyde discovered and when was it conclusively identified?

Formaldehyde is a colorless toxic gas with a disagreeable odor. When dissolved in water, vapor is _____.

Formaldehyde is known to be quite reactive and its propensity to polymerize into __________ was quite interesting.

Formaldehyde is sold as a _____ solution in water, stabilized by methanol.

Aqueous solutions of formaldehyde are commonly referred to as formalin. What molecule is actually formed when formaldehyde dissolves in water?

Who is thought to have first discovered formaldehyde in Russia in 1859?

Who formally identified formaldehyde in 1869 at the University of Berlin?

In its basic form, formaldehyde exists in what physical state?

The most common concentration of formaldehyde is a _____ solution.

What is the common name for the liquid mixture of formaldehyde gas and water?

To prevent polymerization of formaldehyde solution, about ____________________________ is added.

It is the addition of ___________ that causes the substance to be called formalin as opposed to formaldehyde.

What is the solid form of formaldehyde called?

What does OSHA require workplaces to perform when using formaldehyde?

What is the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for formaldehyde over an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA)?

What is the OSHA Short-Term Exposure Level (STEL) for formaldehyde, measured over a maximum 15-minute period?

What is the OSHA Action Level for formaldehyde over an 8-hour TWA?

In what year was the OSHA Formaldehyde Standard passed?

What is the time limit associated with the PEL of 0.75 ppm for formaldehyde exposure?

What is the maximum time duration associated with the STEL of 2.0 ppm for formaldehyde exposure?

What is the time limit associated with the Action Level of 0.5 ppm for formaldehyde exposure?

True or False: If exposure of formaldehyde exceeds any of the standard limits (PEL, STEL, Action Level), changes must be made to reduce employee exposure.

Formaldehyde is a _____.

Formalin is a _____.

Paraformaldehyde is a _____.

__________ is a white solid that collects on the bottom of formalin solutions.

Acidity promotes paraformaldehyde formation, and therefore formalin is buffered to approximately pH ________.

__________ also prevents paraformaldehyde formation.

How is formaldehyde concentration sometimes expressed in terms of weight per volume, also known as Index?

A formaldehyde solution with a 20 Index contains _____g of formaldehyde in 100 mLs of solution.

If an embalming fluid has a formaldehyde index of 20, how many grams of formaldehyde are present in 100 mL?

What is the typical formaldehyde index range for fluids described as 'Low', often used for low moisture decedents?

What is the typical formaldehyde index range for fluids described as 'Medium', often used for normal moisture cases?

What is the typical formaldehyde index range for fluids described as 'High', often used for high moisture (edematous) cases?

High Index fluids (__________ to the cells) are used when dehydrating the tissue is desirable.

Low index fluids (__________ to the cells) are used when hydrating the tissues is desired.

__________ fluids are also used during cases of advanced decomposition where ammonia and urea can interfere with the formaldehyde.

What substance is formed when ammonia reacts with formaldehyde?

What common household chemical can be used to neutralize and clean up formaldehyde spills?

What specific brand of ammonia was mentioned by Dr. Pugel in relation to formaldehyde neutralization?

What dialdehyde chemical is commonly used in embalming and disinfection, besides formaldehyde?

What is the IUPAC (systematic chemical) name for glutaraldehyde?

List two advantages of using glutaraldehyde compared to formaldehyde.

What chemical is considered more effective as a disinfectant, removes less water, disinfects quicker at lower concentrations, creates more cross-linkages, and penetrates better than formaldehyde?

What is the molecular formula for Glutaraldehyde?

Glutaraldehyde is known to be effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including which specific virus mentioned?

For chemical disinfection, how long should instruments typically be immersed in a 2% glutaraldehyde solution?

For chemical sterilization, what is the typical immersion time required in a 2% glutaraldehyde solution?

Immersion in glutaraldehyde solution for sterilization is considered what type of sterilization process?

What is a common apparatus used for 'hot' sterilization, using steam under pressure?

According to one reference point, sterilization (killing all microbial life including spores) requires how many hours of immersion in glutaraldehyde?

How long should exposure time to glutaraldehyde be to effectively kill resistant bacterial spores?

According to one reference point, if instruments need only disinfection (not sterilization), how long might cold sterilization with glutaraldehyde take?

What condition must instruments be in before being immersed into glutaraldehyde solution for disinfection or sterilization?

What does the acronym CAS stand for in the context of chemical identification?

What is the main purpose of the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)?

CAS has assigned unique numbers to chemical substances described in the scientific literature starting from what year?

Approximately how many unique organic/inorganic substances and how many protein/DNA sequences does the CAS Registry identify?