[Evaluation of the irritative action of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde aldehyde]

The irritative effect of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde on the rabbit skin was determined under conditions of a single, closed exposure and under conditions of multiple, open exposure. It was revealed that the irritative effect was dependent on the concentration used, application mode and exposure duration. Under conditions of a single, 4 and 24-hour, closed exposure, threshold concentration which was inducing only slight inflammatory reaction of skin was equal to 2% of aqueous solution for both formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. Under conditions of a 10 open exposure, threshold concentration of irritative effect on the skin was determined as 5% aqueous solution for formaldehyde and 2.5% aqueous solution for glutaraldehyde. A single administration of 0.5% aqueous solution of formaldehyde and of 0.2% aqueous solution of glutaraldehyde into the rabbit's eye induced a slight and short lasting inflammatory reaction. These concentrations were recognised as threshold ones.