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Glutaraldehyde As a Hazardous Waste

Glutaraldehyde is a colorless, oily liquid with a pungent odor which exhibits low level hazards to human health. It is pervasive in hospitals and medical facilities and is produced under the trade names Cidex, Sonacide, Sporicidin, Hospex, Omnicide, Metricide and Wavicide.

  1. Uses

    • The disinfectant properties of glutaraldehyde make it useful especially in medical applications where sanitation is a paramount concern. Many pieces of equipment are sensitive to steam and heat treatments that might otherwise be used for sterilization and call for the use of chemical disinfectants like glutaraldehyde. X-ray technicians also use glutaraldehyde as a hardening agent for developing x-ray film.

    Health Hazards

    • Glutaraldehyde is an irritant to the skin, eyes, lungs and throat. Irritants like glutaraldehyde cause dermatitis, rashes, swelling and constriction of airways to exposed tissue. The most commonly cited effect is asthma-like symptoms caused by glutaraldehyde vapor entering the lungs and throat. Irritation is usually caused by substances of 2% aqueous glutaraldehyde or stronger.

    Reading the MSDS

    • Any chemical substance used should have a material safety data sheet available at the facility where it is being used and also online. Glutaraldehyde is no exception, even though there are many more hazardous substances in industrial and medical applications. Reading an MSDS gives specific information about the hazard of a chemical, and basic information can be gained rapidly be looking at the hazard identification section. Glutaraldehyde reads a health rating of 3 (severe), flammability rating of 1 (slight), reactivity rating of 1 (slight) and a contact rating of 3 (severe). This means that although glutaraldehyde is unlikely to ignite or react suddenly, it is unsafe for consumption and will cause severe irritation to tissue.

    Protective Equipment and Exposure

    • Disposable nitrile gloves, vented splash goggles or a face shield, long pants with closed-toed shoes are a standard minimum for lab work and handling of minor hazard chemicals. Most facilities would require a lab coat or other protective clothing as well to cover the arms and prevent a spilled solution from soaking into normal clothes. According to OSHA, since glutaraldehyde is used primarily as a disinfectant, exposure typically occurs during the process of submerging an instrument in solution or handling an instrument with glutaradelhyde residue left on it. Improper exhaust ventilation is also cited by OSHA as a factor affecting vapor exposure. All equipment sterilized with glutaraldehyde should be pre-rinsed with water before handling.

    Treatment to Exposure

    • Always consult medical professionals or poison control if contact or inhalation occurs, but basic measures recommended by the MSDS for glutaraldehyde are as follows. For Inhalation, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention. If swallowed, immediately call a poison control center or doctor. Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by a poison control center or doctor. Do not give any liquid to the person. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek medical attention immediately. If skin contact occurs, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention. Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse. If eye contact occurs, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately.

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