Formaldehyde was discovered in the 19th century by Alexander Butlerov and August Wilhelm von Hofmann. It has many common uses including in furniture, flooring, cars, inks, and wrinkle-free clothing. It is an important industrial chemical used in wood products, agriculture, and recreation. Some illegal drug users also misuse embalming fluid containing formaldehyde. Health warnings about formaldehyde exposure should be taken seriously given its potential harms.