Glutaraldehyde - Recommendations to Minimize Airborne Concentrations
Cal/OSHA has dropped both the ceiling limit and the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of glutaraldehyde from 0.2 ppm to 0.05 ppm. Ceiling limit is the maximum concentration of an airborne contaminant to which an employee may be exposed at any time. A PEL is the maximum maximum permitted 8-hour time-weighted average concentration of an airborne contaminant. Dental offices that use glutaraldehyde should take appropriate control measures to ensure that the limit is not exceeded in the workplace.
Glutaraldehyde solutions are used for cold sterilization and high-level disinfection in the dental and medical fields and the biotechnology industry. Glutaraldehyde should be handled with care because health assessments indicate it can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Other potential effects of overexposure to glutaraldehyde are headaches, nausea, asthma and allergic reactions.
Required hazard communication training provided to employees should address these health hazards and symptoms along with the measures taken by the employer to evaluate and control exposures that can include medical evaluations, exposure monitoring, ventilation systems, work practices, and personal protective equipment. Regulations (CCR 8 §3203) requires employees be informed of where to report possible health symptoms and where to ask questions, report concerns, and receive information about the employer’s evaluation and control measures.
In light of current health information, CDA recommends the following precautions for those using glutaraldehyde:
- Use steam sterilization when feasible to replace the need for cold sterilization or use disposable instruments.
- Augment general ventilation by mechanically directing air movement away from the breathing zone of the individual responsible for sterilizing instruments and direct glutaraldehyde vapors away from areas where individuals pass through or gather. Portable fans may be used for this purpose. Care must be taken to ensure that air currents do not direct vapors to other portions of the work area that might affect other people.
- Cover the holding tank and minimize the surface area by using a container that is narrow and deep with a tight-fitting lid at all possible times (except when emptying spent solution, mixing new solution, and loading or unloading tools or instruments from the bath).
- Mix solutions in a closed container instead of in an open bath to minimize vapor loss.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment such as nitrile gloves and chemical goggles when working around this chemical.
- Provide emergency eyewash in close proximity to the cold sterilization mixing and use areas.
- Select a sterilization area in the office, bearing in mind the need for good ventilation and isolation of the chemical use area from other activities. Rooms without mechanical or natural ventilation are not good options for sterilization areas because lack of ventilation will raise the airborne concentrations. In addition, areas situated away from foot traffic will minimize the chance of spills.
- Provide local exhaust ventilation for items drying on work surfaces or while rinsing instruments after cold sterilization and at the lip of the cold sterilization bath when possible.
- Minimize the number of times the cold sterilization container is opened and closed to minimize vapor losses.
- Keep a glutaraldehyde spill kit in your office to neutralize spilled chemical minimize vapors and protect your environment should the chemical be released.
- Discontinue use of glutaraldehyde for surface disinfection due to increased potential for skin contact and higher airborne concentrations.
As with all chemicals used in the workplace, be sure that all staff review the manufacturer’s material safety data sheet, which includes additional health and safety recommendations and chemical data.
Resources:
CDC NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Glutaraldehyde
Ravis, et al., Glutaraldehyde Induced and Formaldehyde Induced Allergic Contact Dermatitis Among Dental Hygienists and Assistants, Journal of American Dental Association, August 2003
Updated June 2008