Other Names
HCHO, CH2O
Definition
Formaldehyde (HCHO), a colorless, pungent, carcinogenic, and toxic gas which can irritate membranes and may increase risk of developing brain cancer. It is used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative.
Formaldehyde is an indicator of anthropogenic pollution and biomass burning. In the atmosphere Formaldehyde is produced when Methane reacts with atmospheric hydroxyl (OH) in the troposphere. Formaldehyde is removed from the atmosphere by its photolysis (a major source of free radicals in the atmosphere) or by reaction with atmospheric hydroxyl (OH).
Applications
| (1) Atmospheric Chemistry Models | (5) Tracer of Air Motions |
| (2) Air Quality | (6) stratosphere-troposphere exchange |
| (3) Monitoring of Biomass Burning | (7) Climate Change |
| (4) Health and Environment | |
GES DISC Datasets
Quick Search for 'Formaldehyde' with Mirador
Click on the corresponding 'Data access' links in the table below to access products containing specific parameter.
| Begin Date | End Date | Data Access | Doc |
| Vertical and Slant column Abundance of Fomaldehyde | molecules/cm2 | Aura/OMI | 2004-08-15 | Current | OMHCHO | Y |
Other sources for data
Atmos Composition
