| Document ID (ISN) | 107460 |
| CIS number |
07-1439 |
| Year |
2006 |
| Convention or series no. |
OSHA 3258-08N 2006
|
| Title |
Best practices for the safe use of glutaraldehyde in health care |
| Bibliographic information |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210, USA, 2006. 44p. 51 ref. |
| Internet access |
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/glutaraldehyde.pdf [in English]
|
| Abstract |
This guide describes best practices for the safe use of glutaraldehyde in health care facilities. Glutaraldehyde is used widely as a cold sterilizing agent to disinfect a variety of heat-sensitive instruments, such as endoscopes, bronchoscopes and dialysis equipment. In addition, health care employees may be exposed to glutaraldehyde in its uses as a hardener in X-ray developing and as a tissue fixative in histology and pathology labs. Glutaraldehyde has been linked with a variety of health effects including asthma, breathing difficulties, respiratory irritation, and skin rashes. This guide describes engineering controls, work practices and facility design considerations that will help reduce employee exposure to glutaraldehyde. It includes recommendations for personal protective equipment, employee training, exposure monitoring, disposal practices, and spill and cleanup procedures. The use of alternatives to glutaraldehyde is also addressed. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
glutaraldehyde; USA; health care personnel; hospitals; limitation of exposure |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
irritants; safety guides; equipment layout; pathology; asthma; respiratory diseases; skin eruption; developers; premises; disinfectants; substitution; personal protective equipment; histology; safe working methods; safety training in industry; disinfection of equipment |
| Document type |
F - Information notes, codes of practice, standards |
| Country / State or Province | USA |
| Subject(s) |
Commerce, services, offices
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Aldehydes
Health care services
|
