Catalyzes the oxidation of long-chain primary alcohols and the oxidation of S-(hydroxymethyl) glutathione . Also oxidizes long chain omega-hydroxy fatty acids, such as 20-HETE, producing both the intermediate aldehyde, 20-oxoarachidonate and the end product, a dicarboxylic acid, (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-eicosatetraenedioate . Class-III ADH is remarkably ineffective in oxidizing ethanol . Required for clearance of cellular formaldehyde, a cytotoxic and carcinogenic metabolite that induces DNA damage .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm