Potato starch was modified by acrylamide under basic condition either via polyaddition or in acidic media via graft copolymeryzation. Modified starch was applied as environmentally friendly agent for the following purposes: a formaldehyde scavenger from formaldehyde resins especially urea-formaldehyde resins used in chipboards or phenol-formaldehyde resins for binding of insulation mineral fiber-plates; agents reducing drag flow in pipelines for waste liquids, and reinforcement of drillings in oil and gas mines. Elaborated method of production of formaldehyde emission decreasing agents is wasteless. Starch/acrylamide copolymer is completely harmless and nontoxic product, useful for environmental protection.