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1. Structural characteristics of formaldehyde: (1) The molecular formula of formaldehyde is CH2O, while its structural formula is HCHO; the structure can be represented as H–C=O. (2) Analysis: Structurally, formaldehyde consists of an H atom directly bonded to the –CHO group, with no hydrocarbon groups present. The structure is quite special: the two hydrogen atoms attached to the carbonyl group are identical in terms of their properties, and due to the influence of the carbonyl group, both hydrogen atoms are highly reactive. 2. Physical properties of formaldehyde: Formaldehyde, also known as formic aldehyde, is a colorless liquid with a strong, irritating odor; it is highly soluble in water. Formalin is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde with a mass fraction of 35% to 40%. An aqueous solution of formaldehyde has bactericidal and preservative properties, making it an effective bactericide. 3. Chemical properties: (1) Addition of H2 leads to reduction to an alcohol: HCHO + H2 → CH3OH (under the action of a Ni catalyst). (2) Oxidation reactions: a. Combustion: HCHO + O2 → CO2 + H2O (with ignition). b. Catalytic oxidation to carboxylic acids: 2HCHO + O2 → 2HCOOH (via catalytic oxidation). c. Oxidation by weak oxidizing agents: I. Silver mirror reaction: HCHO + 2OH⁻ → HCOONH4 + 2Ag↓ + 3NH3↑ + H2O; the product HCOONH4 still contains the –CHO group, which can further react with silver ammonia solution. The complete equation is: HCHO + 4OH⁻ → (NH4)2CO3 + 4Ag↓ + 6NH3↑ + 2H2O. II. Reaction with freshly prepared Cu(OH)2: HCHO + 2Cu(OH)2 → HCOOH + Cu2O↓ + 2H2O; the product HCOONH4 still contains the –CHO group, which can further react with Cu(OH)2. The complete equation is: HCHO + 4Cu(OH)2 → CO2↑ + 2Cu2O↓ + 5H2O. d. It can cause acidic KMnO4 solution and bromine water to lose their color. (3) It undergoes polycondensation reactions with phenol (Note: The reaction mechanism involves the loss of two hydrogen atoms from the phenol molecule at the adjacent positions, while the aldehyde loses oxygen to form water) ； Polycondensation reaction: A reaction in which monomers react with each other to form polymer compounds, while also producing other substances such as water or ammonia. I won’t write down the chemical equations here since they involve benzene rings. Formaldehyde is a colorless, highly volatile and irritating gas; its 35%–40% aqueous solution is commonly known as formalin. Formaldehyde is a protoplasmic toxin that can bind to proteins. Inhaling high concentrations of formaldehyde can cause severe irritation and swelling of the respiratory tract, eye pain, headaches, and it may also lead to bronchial asthma. Direct skin contact with formaldehyde can cause dermatitis, pigmentation, and necrosis. Frequent exposure to small amounts of formaldehyde can cause chronic poisoning, leading to mucosal congestion, skin irritation, allergic dermatitis, nail keratinization and fragility, as well as pain in the nail beds and fingertips. Systemic symptoms include headache, fatigue, poor appetite, palpitations, insomnia, weight loss, and autonomic nervous system disorders. Various man-made boards (particle board, fiberboard, plywood, etc.) may contain formaldehyde due to the use of adhesives. Adhesives are used in the production of modern furniture, as well as in the decoration and flooring of walls. Where adhesives are used in large quantities, formaldehyde is always released. In addition, some synthetic fiber carpets and paints also contain a certain amount of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can also originate from various chemical and light industrial products such as cosmetics, cleaners, pesticides, disinfectants, preservatives, printing inks, paper, and textile fibers. Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance, ranking second on China’s list of chemicals that require priority control. Formaldehyde has been identified by the World Health Organization as a carcinogenic and teratogenic substance; it is recognized as a **reaction initiator and one of the potential strong mutagens. There are many methods and principles for removing formaldehyde. The commonly used approach is to spray formaldehyde removers and traps into indoor air, or to use substances that can immediately eliminate the odor of formaldehyde. These methods can only remove free formaldehyde; they are ineffective in addressing the formaldehyde released by engineered wood products at a fundamental level. Another category of methods for removing formaldehyde involves the use of a sealing principle, applied directly to the surface of furniture. After using such formaldehyde removers, a transparent or slightly shiny white film remains on the surface of the furniture. Although this sealing method provides an immediate effect in reducing formaldehyde levels, over time gaps can appear in this seal, and it does not eliminate formaldehyde completely. The release period of formaldehyde in panels is three to fifteen years, and it cannot be resolved by growing green plants or opening windows to allow air circulation. Therefore, removing formaldehyde from various types of artificial panels is the key to addressing decoration-related pollution, and it represents a truly effective method for eliminating formaldehyde. Yifeng Series Formaldehyde Remover No. 1 is made from plant-based ingredients, is colorless and odorless, and contains no harmful substances. The usage is very simple: pour Formaldehyde Remover No. 1 into a regular container and apply it to the surface of artificial boards using a wool brush. Formaldehyde Remover No. 1 is suitable for various types of artificial boards, including core boards, plywood, particleboard, medium-density fiberboard, and more. After application, the remover effectively captures and penetrates the formaldehyde within the wood panels, reaching deep into them where it rapidly polymerizes with the formaldehyde to form a non-toxic, colorless (or slightly white) polymer, thereby providing a permanent solution to the formaldehyde problem. Formaldehyde remover No. 1 is non-toxic and harmless to humans. After applying it to the panels, further processes such as painting or veneering can still be carried out without affecting the color or quality of the panels. Qingdao Yifeng Indoor Pollution Research Institute is a specialized institution in Qingdao dedicated to pollution control, with many years of practical experience in removing harmful substances caused by indoor pollution. It has been awarded the title of “Unit Meeting Standards for Indoor Pollution Control” by the Environmental Testing Center of the Qingdao Interior Decoration Association, and it is also a recommended entity by the Qingdao Consumers Association. Based on practical experience, our company, in collaboration with industry experts and professors, has developed a series of products such as Yifeng series formaldehyde removers and decoration stain removers. Through long-term practical testing, the efficiency of these products in eliminating contaminants and their performance have reached a leading level in China. Over time, the dangers of harmful substances such as formaldehyde associated with home renovation have become increasingly recognized, and people have developed a greater awareness of environmental sustainability when choosing materials for renovations. However, there is little real understanding of harmful substances and few effective solutions; people are often influenced by information from the media or advertisements, and there is a lack of a platform for a comprehensive understanding and resolution of issues such as decoration-related pollution. Here, our organization has created the website “Professor Li’s Guide to Addressing Decoration-Related Pollution”, which provides comprehensive answers to consumers’ various questions and offers in-depth discussions on the current hot topics of concern. Our forum focuses on renovation knowledge, covering renovation techniques and renovation-related pollution issues. You can post questions on the forum, and relevant users and experts will provide answers for you. Are plants useful for removing pollution from renovations? Many people believe that plants are the best solution for dealing with interior decoration pollution. In reality, there are indeed plants that can absorb some harmful substances through photosynthesis, but the effectiveness of such methods is extremely limited. The reasons are as follows: First, plants carry out photosynthesis; they absorb certain harmful substances during the day, but do not have this capability at night. The typical pattern of human life is to be outdoors during the day and indoors at night; when air purification is most needed, plants are unable to play a role in this regard. II: The harmful substances absorbed by plants are extremely limited. **The standard requires that the formaldehyde emission level be below 0.08 milligrams per cubic meter. In newly renovated houses, the formaldehyde level is usually above 0.2 milligrams per cubic meter. Meanwhile, the Boston fern, which is effective at absorbing formaldehyde, absorbs only 20 micrograms of formaldehyde per hour. In a room of 30 square meters with a ceiling height of 3 meters and a formaldehyde level of 0.2 milligrams per cubic meter, it would take 540 Boston ferns, working for 1 hour, to reduce the level of this harmful substance to 0.08 milligrams. This assumes there is sufficient light during the day, and that no further release of formaldehyde occurs during the absorption process. Therefore, plants can only play a supplementary role in dealing with harmful substances. Formaldehyde (chemical formula HCHO, molecular weight: 30.03) is a colorless gas with a strong, irritating odor. Soluble in water, alcohol, and ethers. Formaldehyde is gaseous at room temperature and usually appears in the form of an aqueous solution. Its 40% aqueous solution is called formalin, and this solution has a boiling point of 19°C. Therefore, it volatilizes very easily at room temperature, and the rate of volatilization increases as the temperature rises. Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance, ranking second on China’s list of chemicals that require priority control. Formaldehyde has been identified by the World Health Organization as a carcinogenic and teratogenic substance; it is recognized as a **reaction initiator and one of the potential strong mutagens. Studies have shown that formaldehyde has strong carcinogenic and carcinogenic-promoting effects. Numerous studies have shown that the effects of formaldehyde on human health mainly manifest in abnormal sense of smell, irritation, allergies, abnormal lung function, abnormal liver function, and impaired immune function. When its concentration reaches 0.06–0.07 mg/m3 per cubic meter of air, children experience mild asthma. When the formaldehyde level in indoor air is 0.1 mg/m3, there is an unpleasant odor and a sense of discomfort ； At 0.5 mg/m3, it can irritate the eyes and cause tearing ； Reaching 0.6 mg/m3 can cause discomfort or pain in the throat. At higher concentrations, it can cause nausea and vomiting, coughing and chest tightness, shortness of breath, and even pulmonary edema ； Reaching 30 mg/m3 can cause immediate death. Long-term exposure to low doses of formaldehyde can cause chronic respiratory diseases, nasopharyngeal cancer, colon cancer, brain tumors, menstrual disorders, gene mutations in cell nuclei, intra-strand cross-linking of DNA as well as cross-linking between DNA and proteins, inhibition of the repair of DNA damage, pregnancy complications, chromosomal abnormalities in newborns, leukemia, and a decline in memory and intelligence among adolescents. Among all exposed individuals, children and pregnant women are particularly sensitive to formaldehyde, and thus suffer greater harm. It is a major pollutant in decoration and furniture. Its release period lasts from 3 to 15 years, and it volatilizes from the deeper layers of the material when exposed to heat and moisture, causing severe environmental pollution; it has become a global problem that is difficult to solve. It poses the greatest threat to the elderly, children, and pregnant women. Harm: In mild cases, there are discomfort and a burning sensation in the nose, throat, and pharynx, as well as nasal discharge, sore throat, and coughing. In severe cases, there is a feeling of pressure in the chest, difficulty breathing, headaches, and irritability. Prolonged excessive exposure to formaldehyde can lead to various serious diseases such as nasopharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer. Source: Adhesives, paints, coatings, cleaners, pesticides, preservatives, etc., in wood-based panels. Solution: Formaldehyde in indoor environments mainly comes from various types of synthetic wood panels (such as core boards, 9-mm thick boards, medium-density fiberboard, etc.). Coatings and paints also contain some formaldehyde, but in lower amounts. Therefore, formaldehyde is generally dealt with in various types of engineered wood panels or furniture. Ways to reduce excessive formaldehyde release include: reducing the use of large-core boards and other man-made panels ； Try to purchase eco-friendly artificial boards ； After the panels arrive, apply Formaldehyde Remover No. 1 to them before proceeding with their processing. Applicable products: Formaldehyde Remover No. 1, Formaldehyde Remover No. 2, Furniture Care Wax (effective for removing formaldehyde), Active Adsorption Granules, Air Disinfection Machine.