Editing Formaldehyde (section)

====Disinfectant and biocide====
An aqueous solution of formaldehyde can be useful as a disinfectant as it kills most [[bacteria]] and fungi (including their spores). It is used as an additive in vaccine manufacturing to inactivate toxins and pathogens.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm | title = Ingredients of Vaccines - Fact Sheet | publisher = Center for Disease Control | access-date = 2018-08-04 | quote = Formaldehyde is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines, (these are vaccines that use an inactive bacterial toxin to produce immunity.) It is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might contaminate the vaccine during production. Most formaldehyde is removed from the vaccine before it is packaged. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190421020210/https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm | archive-date = 2019-04-21 | url-status = live}}</ref> [[Formaldehyde releaser]]s are used as biocides in personal care products such as cosmetics. Although present at levels not normally considered harmful, they are known to cause allergic [[contact dermatitis]] in certain sensitised individuals.<ref name="Formaldehyde Releasers" />

Aquarists use formaldehyde as a treatment for the parasites ''[[Ichthyophthirius multifiliis]]'' and ''[[Cryptocaryon irritans]]''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ruth |last=Francis-Floyd |title=Use of Formalin to Control Fish Parasites |url=http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm061 |publisher=Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida |date=April 1996 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527111132/http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm061 |archive-date=May 27, 2012}}</ref> Formaldehyde is one of the main disinfectants recommended for destroying [[anthrax]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Disinfection, decontamination, fumigation, incineration |date=2008 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310477/ |work=Anthrax in Humans and Animals. 4th edition |access-date=2023-11-20 |publisher=World Health Organization |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706223226/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310477/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Formaldehyde is also approved for use in the manufacture of animal feeds in the US. It is an antimicrobial agent used to maintain complete animal feeds or feed ingredients ''Salmonella'' negative for up to 21 days.<ref>{{cite web | date = 2019-04-19 | title = §573.460 Formaldehyde | url = http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=373e2ce8edf3f674e80eb9270a461c7d&mc=true&node=se21.6.573_1460&rgn=div8 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170505205047/http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=373e2ce8edf3f674e80eb9270a461c7d&mc=true&node=se21.6.573_1460&rgn=div8 | archive-date = 2017-05-05 | publisher = U.S. Government Publishing Office | access-date = 2016-07-09}}</ref>