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In our testing of the oxidation of formalin solution (which is about 40% formaldehyde in water) to formic acid with chlorine bleach, we found that it is important to dilute the formalin with water (10 ml of water for each 1 ml of formalin) before adding the bleach (25 mL for each 1 mL of formalin measured before dilution) and to perform all reactions, including the dilution, in the fume hood. Hope this helps. Margaret-Ann Armour -- Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour Associate Dean, Diversity Faculty of Science G208 Biological Sciences Bldg University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6G 2E9 Tel: 780 492 7572 Fax: 780 492 0372 margaret-ann.armour**At_Symbol_Here**ualberta.ca