What is the percentage by weight of formaldehyde in formalin?

Formalin is a solution that consists of formaldehyde gas dissolved in water, typically containing about 37% formaldehyde by weight. This concentration is often referred to as "formalin" in both the funeral service industry and the scientific community. The specific density of the solution allows it to achieve this concentration in a practical and manageable form for use in embalming and preservation processes.

Understanding the percentage of formaldehyde in formalin is essential for those in the funeral service field, as it relates directly to safety, embalming practices, and the effectiveness of preservation. Formaldehyde has specific properties that allow it to fix tissues, which is vital for the embalming process. Knowing that formalin contains roughly 37% formaldehyde helps ensure that practitioners use it safely and effectively.