Glutaraldehyde - Occupational Hazards in Hospitals

lutaraldehyde is used as a cold sterilant to disinfect and clean heat-sensitive equipment such as dialysis instruments, surgical instruments, suction bottles, bronchoscopes, endoscopes, and ear, nose, and throat instruments. This chemical is also used as a tissue fixative in histology and pathology labs and as a hardening agent in the development of x-rays. Glutaraldehyde is a colorless, oily liquid with a pungent odor. Hospital workers use it most often in a diluted form mixed with water. The strength of glutaraldehyde and water solutions typically ranges from 1% to 50%, but other formulations are available. Trade names include Cidex®, Sonacide®, Sporicidin®, Hospex®, Omnicide®, Metricide®, and Wavicide®.

The purpose of this is to:

-make you aware of the adverse health effects of glutaraldehyde
-describe how you can be exposed to glutaraldehyde
-provide and identify control methods and work practices to prevent or reduce your exposure to glutaraldehyde