Key Words Glutaraldehyde · Occupational exposure · SPME ·

The aim of this work was to evaluate airborne glutaralde-hyde exposure and so to organise efficiently the preven-tion of risks due to the manipulation of this substance in endoscope units in the medical facilities. Personal sam-pling in the breathing zone of the workers were taken for 2min in sixteen endoscope units in a hospital during the replacement of glutaraldehyde in basins, tubes and auto-matic endoscope washing machines (lavaendoscopes). Sampling was performed by solid phase microextraction (SPME); the analysis of the glutaraldehyde-derivative was by gas chromatography. The highest levels of glu-taraldehyde were observed in rooms without ventilation and where local aspiration systems were used during filling of basins, tubes and lavaendoscopes with 2 % glu-taraldehyde solution. The results obtained during this campaign of measurements allowed us to point out the operations which have the highest degree of risk for employees and to suggest suitable measures for preven-tion and individual protection