This gene encodes a member of the alcohol dehydrogenase family. Members of this family metabolize a wide variety of substrates， including ethanol， retinol， other aliphatic alcohols， hydroxysteroids， and lipid peroxidation products. The encoded protein forms a homodimer. It has virtually no activity for ethanol oxidation， but exhibits high activity for oxidation of long-chain primary alcohols and for oxidation of S-hydroxymethyl-glutathione， a spontaneous adduct between formaldehyde and glutathione. This enzyme is an important component of cellular metabolism for the elimination of formaldehyde， a potent irritant and sensitizing agent that causes lacrymation， rhinitis， pharyngitis， and contact dermatitis. The human genome contains several non-transcribed pseudogenes related to this gene.