US production of acetaldehyde may decline in the near future as Mexico increases its production of the chemical. US demand for acetaldehyde increased slightly from 1987 to 1989, but is likely to remain steady at its current level. The largest users of acetaldehyde are companies that make acetic acid and related chemicals. Companies also use acetaldehyde to make other chemicals such as pyridine, pentaerythritol, and peracetic acid. Exposure to acetaldehyde can occur in the workplace or in the environment following releases to air, water, land, or groundwater.
Exposure can also occur when people eat fruit, drink coffee, or smoke cigarettes.
Acetaldehyde enters the body when breathed in with contaminated air or when consumed with contaminated food or water. It does not remain in the body due to its breakdown, mainly to a chemical that is normally present in the human body. Acetaldehyde evaporates when exposed to air. It dissolves completely when mixed with water. Most direct releases of acetaldehyde to the environment are to air or to underground sites.