Worker safety and glutaraldehyde in the gastrointestinal lab environment

Glutaraldehyde is considered a high-level surgical disinfectant commonly used in the United States in gastrointestinal lab environments. Glutaraldehyde requires proper ventilation when used as glutaraldehyde vapors are known irritants to the skin, eyes, nose, and lungs without proper ventilation in the work environment. Vapor concentration is the unit of measurement for the environmental presence of glutaraldehyde. Safe levels of glutaraldehyde vapor concentrations are a significant issue in the work environment. The American Conference of Governmental Hygienists has established and reported safe and allowable limits for vapor concentration of glutaraldehyde. Unfortunately, uncontrolled glutaraldehyde exposure in selected work environments is contributing to occupational asthma. Environmental exposure to glutaraldehyde has been linked to respiratory sensitization of the workers exposed and suggests the need for safe work environments anywhere glutaraldehyde is in use. Gastrointestinal labs use high-level disinfectants like glutaraldehyde to safely and thoroughly disinfect endoscopic instruments and accessories; however, there are worker-safety considerations relevant to glutaraldehyde use. The purpose of this article is to identify and describe clinical issues and challenges associated with worker safety and proper ventilation of glutaraldehyde in a gastrointestinal environment. A multidisciplinary problem-solving approach for use in identification and intervention for glutaraldehyde exposure and safety recommendations related to glutaraldehyde use as a high-level disinfectant in one gastroenterology lab environment will be highlighted.