Final answer:
Formaldehyde is an alkylating agent used to sterilize materials in hospitals that can't withstand heat. Despite its effectiveness in killing microorganisms and sterilizing at low temperatures, its carcinogenic nature requires careful handling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sterilization/disinfection gas widely used in hospitals to sterilize materials that cannot withstand steam is formaldehyde. As an alkylating agent, formaldehyde acts by introducing alkyl groups into molecules, which inactivates essential cellular components like enzymes and nucleic acids. This broad-spectrum disinfectant is capable of killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even resistant endospores, making it an effective option for sterilization at low temperatures.
Commonly found at a concentration of 37% in a solution known as formalin, or as a gaseous biocide, formaldehyde is used in various applications apart from sterilization, such as in tissue specimen storage and as an embalming fluid. Although highly effective, formaldehyde is carcinogenic and irritating to living tissues, restricting its use to non-living objects under controlled conditions. The use of formaldehyde must be carefully managed due to the potential health hazards it poses.