Exposure to an inexpensive, but highly effective cold sterilant to disinfect and clean heat-sensitive medical equipment is causing multiple adverse reactions among healthcare professionals across Canada. Doctors, dentists, nurses and other healthcare personnel are quickly becoming sensitized to glutaraldehyde, seen as the "safer" alternative to the previous disinfectant of choice, formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogenic, and its use was suspended in favour of glutaraldehyde.
The U.S.-based National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety identified researchers, pharmacy personnel, and operating room, laboratory, x-ray department, dental office and autopsy workers reporting increased adverse effects from using or cleaning medical equipment exposed to glutaraldehyde.
Among other effects were throat and lung irritation; chest discomfort and tightness, asthma, asthma-like symptoms and breathing difficulties, the aggravation of pre-existing pulmonary disease; nose irritation, nosebleeds, sneezing and wheezing; burning eyes, swollen eyelids and conjunctivitis; rashes caused by allergic contact dermatitis; lip sores and mouth ulcers; brownish colouring of the skin; voice loss; fatigue; hives; headaches; nausea; and, sensitization to other chemicals.
According to a study published in Contact Dermatitis in 2000, healthcare personnel are eight times more likely to be allergic to this chemical than in other sectors. Polish research published in the International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environment showed that contact allergies due to glutaraldehyde were diagnosed in almost two-thirds of 223 nurses who participated in a study. In the U.K., a study of nurses working in 59 endoscopy units showed 44 per cent had work-related contact dermatitis from exposure to glutaraldehyde.
Reducing and eliminating exposure is the key to safer work practices with this, or any other chemical. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has excellent guidelines on reducing glutaraldehyde exposure, including the use of enclosed systems, safer alternatives and wearing personal protective equipment such as chemical resistant gloves, aprons, boots, chemical splash goggles, face shields, and air-purifying respirators in the case of spill cleanups.
Reading and adhering to the material safety data sheet which comes with the product is extremely important. Speak to your joint health and safety committee representatives about ensuring safe use and handling guidelines for this, or any other chemicals you may use or be exposed to in your workplace.
Sources: OHS Canada, www.ohscanada.com; CCOHS, www.ccohs.ca.