Formaldehyde is widely used to create resins for building materials (plywood, cabinets), as a disinfectant and preservative in medicine/labs (tissue samples, vaccines), in textiles for crease resistance, and in consumer products like soaps and cosmetics as a preservative
, though its use is restricted due to health concerns
. It also acts as a biocide in oil drilling, a hardening agent in photographic film, and improves fuel efficiency in some automotive parts
.