--- title: What is Glutaraldehyde? [Uses, Effects, and Safety Solutions] description: Chemicals play an important part in healthcare facilities. There are practical solutions you need to know when working with glutaraldehyde. image: https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/What-is-Glutaraldehyde-1.jpg --- - [**(800) 438-1152**](tel:8663081651) - [**Login**](https://pro.vitaleyez.com/) [![CHT Healthcare](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hs-fs/hub/479873/file-2389205739-png/Images/cht-logo.png?width=196&name=cht-logo.png "CHT Healthcare")](https://www.chthealthcare.com) [![Schedule Discovery Call](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c) - [About](https://www.chthealthcare.com/about) - Services - [Inspection, Testing & Maintenance](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-inspection-and-testing) - [Vac Wash](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-vacuum-system-cleaner) - [Monitoring](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) - [Installation](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-installation) - [Training](https://www.chthealthcare.com/asse-6040-24-hour-certification-course) - [Team](https://www.chthealthcare.com/team/administrative) - [Careers](https://www.chthealthcare.com/careers) - [Blog](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.chthealthcare.com/contact) - [![Schedule Discovery Call](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-inspection-1.png)Inspection, Testing & Maintenance Get Verified Results for your Medical Gas system.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-inspection-and-testing) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-vac.png)VacWash Clean your medical vacuum system to provide optimal pressure.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-vacuum-system-cleaner) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-monitor.png)Environmental Monitoring Maintain the health of your employees in your facility.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-install.png)Installation Ensure patient safety, reduce risk, and increase your profitability.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-installation) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-train.png)Training ASSE medical gas certification training for your people.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/asse-6040-24-hour-certification-course) - [**(800) 438-1152**](tel:8663081651) - [**Login**](https://pro.vitaleyez.com/) - [**Support**](https://www.chthealthcare.com/support) [![CHT Healthcare](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hs-fs/file-2389205739-png/Images/cht-logo.png?width=196&height=76&name=cht-logo.png "CHT Healthcare")](https://www.chthealthcare.com) - [About](https://www.chthealthcare.com/about) - Services - [Inspection, Testing & Maintenance](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-inspection-and-testing) - [Vac Wash](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-vacuum-system-cleaner) - [Monitoring](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) - [Installation](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-installation) - [Team](https://www.chthealthcare.com/team/administrative) - [Careers](https://www.chthealthcare.com/careers) - [Blog](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.chthealthcare.com/contact) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-inspection.png)Inspection, Testing & Maintenance Get Verified Results for your Medical Gas system.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-inspection-and-testing) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-vacwash.png)VacWash Clean your medical vacuum system to provide optimal pressure.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-vacuum-system-cleaner) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-monitoring.png)Environmental Monitoring Maintain the health of your employees in your facility.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) - [![](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon-intallation.png)Installation Ensure patient safety, reduce risk, and increase your profitability.](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-installation) # What is Glutaraldehyde? \[Uses, Effects, and Safety Solutions\] Posted by [Jason Di Marco](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog/author/jason-di-marco) on August 03, 2023 ![Jason Di Marco](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Team/2020/jason-dimarco.jpg) [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![What-is-Glutaraldehyde-1](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/What-is-Glutaraldehyde-1.jpg?width=700&name=What-is-Glutaraldehyde-1.jpg) For over 50 years, glutaraldehyde has been a high-level disinfectant. As a disinfectant, it is used to eliminate harmful microorganisms on surgical instruments and has other uses as a fixative or preservative in other parts of a healthcare facility. However, it can get into the air from its use as a disinfectant, potentially exposing employees and patients to the chemical. Prolonged exposure to employees can become a problem. At CHT, we provide solutions to maintain the health of your employees with [environmental monitoring](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) to ensure their well-being. We understand it's crucial to keep your employees safe and your healthcare facility compliant. This article covers the health implications and ways to ensure chemical safety while handling glutaraldehyde in the workplace. ## Are You Struggling With Medical Gas Compliance? # CHT offers medical gas services to help you reach your compliance goals. To help you navigate through these challenges, start with a free 30-minute discovery call. # [![Get a Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/b96d36aa-3e9c-41a4-9689-052c59302f8c) ### How is Glutaraldehyde Used in Healthcare Facilities? Glutaraldehyde is used as a cold sterilant to disinfect a variety of *heat-sensitive* instruments, such as endoscopes, dialysis equipment, and more. It is used as a high-level disinfectant for those surgical instruments that cannot be heat sterilized. Glutaraldehyde is used for several applications in healthcare facilities: - Disinfectant and sterilization of surfaces and equipment - A tissue fixative in pathology labs - A hardening agent used to develop X-rays - For the preparation of grafts *source:* [*NIOSH*](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/glutaraldehyde/default.html)  However... There are risks associated with exposure to glutaraldehyde.  ### Occupational Hazards in Healthcare Facilities  Glutaraldehyde has been linked with a variety of health effects – ranging from mild to severe – including asthma, breathing difficulties, respiratory irritation, and skin rashes *(Pryor, 1984; Crandall, 1987).* NIOSH reports that workers that use the chemical can be exposed through inhalation or skin contact. Health effects can also include: - Nasal, throat, and lung irritation - Contact dermatitis - Sneezing - Conjunctivitis ### Practical Solutions to Working With High-Level Disinfectants There are safety protocols essential for healthcare facilities. Engineering controls and personal protection requirements in the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) are the standards for healthcare facilities.  As a facility manager, you want to protect your workers and lower their excessive exposure to harsh chemicals. Proper storage and use in well-ventilated rooms, personal protective equipment, and employee training are ways to mitigate exposure. **Ventilation** -  Section 3.4.2 of the ANSI standard cites: > "Rooms in which glutaraldehyde disinfection/sterilization is performed should be large enough to ensure the adequate dilution of vapor and should have a minimum air exchange rate of ten air exchanges per hour." \[[source](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/sterile-processing/practical-guide-using-glutaraldehyde-and-other-high-leveldisinfectants)\] If there are less than ten air exchanges, the standard states an exhaust hood should be installed to contain the vapor.  **Takeaway:** Ensure rooms are well-ventilated and store the chemical in closed containers in a well-ventilated area. **Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)** - Section 4.2.2 of the ANSI standard  PPE protects workers against the hazards of using high-level disinfectants such as glutaraldehyde. Regardless of the type of disinfectant used, facilities should use the proper PPE designed to protect their skin and eyes from contact. Proper PPE recommendations: - Wear elbow-length gloves that extend up the arm for full protection - Wear splash-proof safety glasses/goggles with full face shields (emergency eyewash equipment should be readily available) - Wear an impenetrable gown for coverage Controlling exposure to occupational hazards is an essential part of protecting workers. NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) recommends that employers use the Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries. NIOSH defines the *Hierarchy of Controls*, which uses **control methods for a safer system. **   ![NIOSH_Hierarchy_of_Controls](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/NIOSH_Hierarchy_of_Controls.png) *Source: [Wikimedia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NIOSH_Hierarchy_of_Controls.png) Commons, NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls* **Training and Continuing Education** - Section 5 of the ANSI standard Updated procedures and adequate training should be applied in healthcare facilities. As new employees are hired, they must be made aware of the use and effects of harsh disinfectants.   Employees should have access to material safety data sheets, labels, and specific training for any exposed workers. ### Conclusion Chemicals play an essential part in healthcare facilities. Ensuring the safe and healthy use of these chemicals is critical. CHT’s [environmental monitoring](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) program provides employee exposure monitoring to a wide variety of chemicals that employees and patients may be exposed to throughout a workday. CHT offers medical gas services to help you reach your compliance goals. To help you navigate through these challenges, we offer a free 30-minute discovery call. [![Let's Talk](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/84a6a5eb-a7dd-4715-b5de-5cf0fa26e329.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/84a6a5eb-a7dd-4715-b5de-5cf0fa26e329)   ![risk-assessment-cover-4](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/risk-assessment-cover-4.png?width=192&name=risk-assessment-cover-4.png)  ### **Bonus Content: Risk Assessment Guide** Get the PDF version that you can save to your desktop and read it when it's convenient for you. *(No email or signup required):* [![Yes! Give me my PDF](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/479873/2b4f1dce-fae0-4b1a-805e-9ebd4aa9c5cc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/479873/2b4f1dce-fae0-4b1a-805e-9ebd4aa9c5cc)   Topics: [Environmental Monitoring](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog/topic/environmental-monitoring) Author ![Jason Di Marco](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Team/2020/jason-dimarco.jpg) ### [Jason Di Marco](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog/author/jason-di-marco) President and CEO at Compliant Healthcare Technologies, LLC Jason Di Marco has been intimately involved with helping hospitals protect and improve their medical piped gas systems from CHT's beginnings. He is certified by ASSE, NITC, and NFPA as an inspector and installer and has worked with major institutions from construction to risk assessment planning. ### Subscribe Here! ### About - [About](https://www.chthealthcare.com/about) - [Careers](https://www.chthealthcare.com/careers) - [Blog](https://www.chthealthcare.com/blog) ### Services - [Medical Gas Inspection & Testing and Maintenance](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-inspection-and-testing) - [Medical Vac Wash](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-vacuum-system-cleaner) - [Environmental Monitoring](https://www.chthealthcare.com/environmental-monitoring) - [Medical Gas Installation](https://www.chthealthcare.com/medical-gas-installation) ### Contact - [Contact](https://www.chthealthcare.com/contact) - [Login](https://pro.vitaleyez.com/) ### Location Compliant Healthcare Technologies 6779 Engle Road STE A-B Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 [![linkedin](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon_li-1-1.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1959331) [![twitter](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon_twitter_x.png)](https://twitter.com/CHTHealthcare) [![facebook](https://www.chthealthcare.com/hubfs/Images/icons/icon_fb-1-1.png)](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Compliant-Healthcare-Technologies-LLC/375330609209299) (800) 438-1152 | [Privacy Policy](https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/93187285) |  [Cookie Policy](https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/93187285/cookie-policy) |  © 2026 Compliant Healthcare Technologies, LLC. 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