Absorption of Formaldehyde by Wool

A radiochemical method has been used to follow the course of reaction of formaldehyde with wool. The amount of formaldehyde absorbed from aqueous solutions was dependent on the conditions of treatment. It was found that the pH of the solution, the concentration of formaldehyde in the solution, and the treatment time and temperature markedly affect the extent of the wool-formaldehyde reaction. The presence of salt in the solution has some modifying effect on the uptake of formaldehyde by wool, and there are some apparent differences in the effects of different salts. The amount of formaldehyde bound by the wool was affected by the rinsing conditi ons to which the formalized material was subjected, indicating that not all of the absorbed formaldehyde was present in the form of stable products; this was confirmed by the gradual loss of formaldehyde from formalized wool on exposure to the atmosphere.