Occupational hazards in hospitals

"Glutaraldehyde 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 ise 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 formations are available. The purpose of this brochure is to: Make you aware of the adverse health effects if glutaraldehyde, describe how you can be exposed to glutaraldehyde, and provide and identify control methods and work practices to prevent or reduce your exposure to glutaraldehyde." - NIOSHTIC-2Cover title."Mary 2001."Shipping list no.: 2001-0270-P.Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. 7-8)