Formaldehyde solution is a colorless, aqueous liquid with a pungent odor. Concentrated formaldehyde solutions contain not less than 37% of formaldehyde or CH2O. These are usually supplied in 55 gallon drums.
Ten percent (10%) aqueous formaldehyde solution, known as formalin , is almost universally used in the histology laboratory to fix and store pathology specimens, and, while still an important potential health hazard, is safer to use because of its lower formaldehyde concentration.
