Human Bodies Produce Formaldehyde and It’s Even In The Air We Breathe What is formaldehyde? It’s a colorless flammable gas at room temperature, and has a strong odor. It can cause some forms of cancer, irritate your skin, eyes, nose,and throat areas. There are traces of it in paper towels, fabric softeners, cosmetics, paper money, apples, potatoes, and fish. Plants and