Glutaraldehyde

Jason Mason

Health Risks

bull Potential Acute Health Effectsbull Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant) of eye

contact (irritant) of ingestion of inhalation (lung irritant lung sensitizer)

bull Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer permeator) Liquid or spray mist may produce tissue damage particularly

bull on mucous membranes of eyes mouth and respiratory tract Skin contact may produce burns Inhalation of the spray mist may

bull produce severe irritation of respiratory tract characterized by coughing choking or shortness of breath Severe over-exposure

bull can result in death

bull Potential Chronic Health Effectsbull CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS Classified A4 (Not classifiable for

human or animal) by ACGIH [Glutaraldehyde] MUTAGENICbull EFFECTS Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells

[Glutaraldehyde] Mutagenic for bacteria andor yeast [Glutaraldehyde]

bull TERATOGENIC EFFECTS Not available DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY Classified Reproductive systemtoxinfemale

bull Reproductive systemtoxinmale [SUSPECTED] [Glutaraldehyde] The substance may be toxic to blood the reproductive

bull system liver mucous membranes spleen central nervous system (CNS) Urinary System Repeated or prolonged exposure

bull to the substance can produce target organs damage Repeated or prolonged contact with spray mist may produce chronic

bull eye irritation and severe skin irritation Repeated or prolonged exposure to spray mist may produce respiratory tract irritation

bull leading to frequent attacks of bronchial infection Repeated exposure to a highly toxic material may produce general

bull deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many human organs

History

A successful method of industrial production was patented in the late 1950s by a Diels-Alder type reaction of acrolein and vinylethyl ether forming 2-ethoxy-3 4-dihydro-2H-pyran which readily hydrolyzes to glutaraldehyde with a by product of ethano Interest in glutaraldehyde peaked in the early 1960s when several investigations found it to have outstanding disinfection and sterilization capabilities even surpassing formaldehyde the standard of the disinfection industry at the time By 1963 high-level disinfectants cold-chemical sterilants and potent sporicides were marketed with glutaraldehyde as the active ingredient Interest has been intense throughout the years for glutaraldehyde right up to the present as it still is essentially the gold-standard for chemical forms of sterilization All disinfectants and new alternative disinfectant chemicals efficacy are based upon comparison to glutaraldehyde efficacy

Production and StructureGlutaraldehyde is produced industrially by the oxidation of cyclopentene

and by the Diels-Alder reaction of acrolein and methyl vinyl ether followed by hydrolysis

Like other dialdehydes (eg glyoxal) it does not exist as the dialdehyde but as the hydrate These hydrates adopt several structures

Monomeric glutaraldehyde can polymerize by aldol condensation reaction yielding alpha beta-unsaturated poly-glutaraldehyde This

reaction usually occurs at alkaline pH values

Also used forA cold sterilant in the health care

industryA cross-linking and tanning agentA biocide in metalworking fluids

and in oil and gas pipelinesAn antimicrobial in water-

treatment systemsA slimicide in paper

manufacturingA preservative in cosmetics

A disinfectant in animal housingA tissue fixative in histology and

pathology labsA hardening agent in the

development of X-raysIn embalming solutions

In the preparation of grafts and bioprostheses

In various clinical applications

Glutaraldehyde amp FormaldehydeFormaldehyde and glutaraldehyde each have much to offer to the modern embalming industry Formaldehyde excels in certain embalming scenarios such as edema and presents rapid and classical results familiar to embalmers Glutaraldehyde excels at sanitizing abilitymildness of reaction tissue clearing cosmetic effect and prolonged delayed action Glutaraldehyde is excellent in cavity fluids where contact times are long and resistant fixation is essential In arterial injections of typically normal bodies pre-injection of glutaraldehyde followed by formaldehyde injection torapidly induce hardness of tissue or injection of glutaraldehydelow formaldehyde mixes to moderate reaction yield excellent results It is shocking how little formaldehyde is needed to yield classical signs of embalming (firmness rigidity skin tightness) in normal body injections (typically 4-6 ounces in the last part of the injection of a moderate concentration [index 20] fluid) Injections that stress and take advantage of the inherent advantages of both aldehydes yield the consistently best embalming results The overall goal of chemical selection mix in the modern embalming room should be a juxtaposition of lowered total overall exposure risk balanced against sufficient and effective embalming results

Works Citedbull Pg 2 MSDS for GlutaraldehydeWater 5050

httpwwwsciencelabcommsdsphpmsdsId=9924161

bull Pg 3 Chemical Labels httpwwwchemicallabelscomimglgLGlutaraldehyde-NFPA-Chemical-Label-LB-1592-063gif

bull Pg 4 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 5 Wikipedia

bull httpenwikipediaorgwikiGlutaraldehyde

bull Pg 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention httpwwwcdcgovnioshtopicsglutaraldehyde

bull Pg 7 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James

bull httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 8 Macherey-Nagel

bull httpwwwmn-netcomtabid11208defaultaspx

Health Risks

bull Potential Acute Health Effectsbull Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant) of eye

contact (irritant) of ingestion of inhalation (lung irritant lung sensitizer)

bull Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (sensitizer permeator) Liquid or spray mist may produce tissue damage particularly

bull on mucous membranes of eyes mouth and respiratory tract Skin contact may produce burns Inhalation of the spray mist may

bull produce severe irritation of respiratory tract characterized by coughing choking or shortness of breath Severe over-exposure

bull can result in death

bull Potential Chronic Health Effectsbull CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS Classified A4 (Not classifiable for

human or animal) by ACGIH [Glutaraldehyde] MUTAGENICbull EFFECTS Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells

[Glutaraldehyde] Mutagenic for bacteria andor yeast [Glutaraldehyde]

bull TERATOGENIC EFFECTS Not available DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY Classified Reproductive systemtoxinfemale

bull Reproductive systemtoxinmale [SUSPECTED] [Glutaraldehyde] The substance may be toxic to blood the reproductive

bull system liver mucous membranes spleen central nervous system (CNS) Urinary System Repeated or prolonged exposure

bull to the substance can produce target organs damage Repeated or prolonged contact with spray mist may produce chronic

bull eye irritation and severe skin irritation Repeated or prolonged exposure to spray mist may produce respiratory tract irritation

bull leading to frequent attacks of bronchial infection Repeated exposure to a highly toxic material may produce general

bull deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many human organs

History

A successful method of industrial production was patented in the late 1950s by a Diels-Alder type reaction of acrolein and vinylethyl ether forming 2-ethoxy-3 4-dihydro-2H-pyran which readily hydrolyzes to glutaraldehyde with a by product of ethano Interest in glutaraldehyde peaked in the early 1960s when several investigations found it to have outstanding disinfection and sterilization capabilities even surpassing formaldehyde the standard of the disinfection industry at the time By 1963 high-level disinfectants cold-chemical sterilants and potent sporicides were marketed with glutaraldehyde as the active ingredient Interest has been intense throughout the years for glutaraldehyde right up to the present as it still is essentially the gold-standard for chemical forms of sterilization All disinfectants and new alternative disinfectant chemicals efficacy are based upon comparison to glutaraldehyde efficacy

Production and StructureGlutaraldehyde is produced industrially by the oxidation of cyclopentene

and by the Diels-Alder reaction of acrolein and methyl vinyl ether followed by hydrolysis

Like other dialdehydes (eg glyoxal) it does not exist as the dialdehyde but as the hydrate These hydrates adopt several structures

Monomeric glutaraldehyde can polymerize by aldol condensation reaction yielding alpha beta-unsaturated poly-glutaraldehyde This

reaction usually occurs at alkaline pH values

Also used forA cold sterilant in the health care

industryA cross-linking and tanning agentA biocide in metalworking fluids

and in oil and gas pipelinesAn antimicrobial in water-

treatment systemsA slimicide in paper

manufacturingA preservative in cosmetics

A disinfectant in animal housingA tissue fixative in histology and

pathology labsA hardening agent in the

development of X-raysIn embalming solutions

In the preparation of grafts and bioprostheses

In various clinical applications

Glutaraldehyde amp FormaldehydeFormaldehyde and glutaraldehyde each have much to offer to the modern embalming industry Formaldehyde excels in certain embalming scenarios such as edema and presents rapid and classical results familiar to embalmers Glutaraldehyde excels at sanitizing abilitymildness of reaction tissue clearing cosmetic effect and prolonged delayed action Glutaraldehyde is excellent in cavity fluids where contact times are long and resistant fixation is essential In arterial injections of typically normal bodies pre-injection of glutaraldehyde followed by formaldehyde injection torapidly induce hardness of tissue or injection of glutaraldehydelow formaldehyde mixes to moderate reaction yield excellent results It is shocking how little formaldehyde is needed to yield classical signs of embalming (firmness rigidity skin tightness) in normal body injections (typically 4-6 ounces in the last part of the injection of a moderate concentration [index 20] fluid) Injections that stress and take advantage of the inherent advantages of both aldehydes yield the consistently best embalming results The overall goal of chemical selection mix in the modern embalming room should be a juxtaposition of lowered total overall exposure risk balanced against sufficient and effective embalming results

Works Citedbull Pg 2 MSDS for GlutaraldehydeWater 5050

httpwwwsciencelabcommsdsphpmsdsId=9924161

bull Pg 3 Chemical Labels httpwwwchemicallabelscomimglgLGlutaraldehyde-NFPA-Chemical-Label-LB-1592-063gif

bull Pg 4 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 5 Wikipedia

bull httpenwikipediaorgwikiGlutaraldehyde

bull Pg 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention httpwwwcdcgovnioshtopicsglutaraldehyde

bull Pg 7 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James

bull httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 8 Macherey-Nagel

bull httpwwwmn-netcomtabid11208defaultaspx

History

A successful method of industrial production was patented in the late 1950s by a Diels-Alder type reaction of acrolein and vinylethyl ether forming 2-ethoxy-3 4-dihydro-2H-pyran which readily hydrolyzes to glutaraldehyde with a by product of ethano Interest in glutaraldehyde peaked in the early 1960s when several investigations found it to have outstanding disinfection and sterilization capabilities even surpassing formaldehyde the standard of the disinfection industry at the time By 1963 high-level disinfectants cold-chemical sterilants and potent sporicides were marketed with glutaraldehyde as the active ingredient Interest has been intense throughout the years for glutaraldehyde right up to the present as it still is essentially the gold-standard for chemical forms of sterilization All disinfectants and new alternative disinfectant chemicals efficacy are based upon comparison to glutaraldehyde efficacy

Production and StructureGlutaraldehyde is produced industrially by the oxidation of cyclopentene

and by the Diels-Alder reaction of acrolein and methyl vinyl ether followed by hydrolysis

Like other dialdehydes (eg glyoxal) it does not exist as the dialdehyde but as the hydrate These hydrates adopt several structures

Monomeric glutaraldehyde can polymerize by aldol condensation reaction yielding alpha beta-unsaturated poly-glutaraldehyde This

reaction usually occurs at alkaline pH values

Also used forA cold sterilant in the health care

industryA cross-linking and tanning agentA biocide in metalworking fluids

and in oil and gas pipelinesAn antimicrobial in water-

treatment systemsA slimicide in paper

manufacturingA preservative in cosmetics

A disinfectant in animal housingA tissue fixative in histology and

pathology labsA hardening agent in the

development of X-raysIn embalming solutions

In the preparation of grafts and bioprostheses

In various clinical applications

Glutaraldehyde amp FormaldehydeFormaldehyde and glutaraldehyde each have much to offer to the modern embalming industry Formaldehyde excels in certain embalming scenarios such as edema and presents rapid and classical results familiar to embalmers Glutaraldehyde excels at sanitizing abilitymildness of reaction tissue clearing cosmetic effect and prolonged delayed action Glutaraldehyde is excellent in cavity fluids where contact times are long and resistant fixation is essential In arterial injections of typically normal bodies pre-injection of glutaraldehyde followed by formaldehyde injection torapidly induce hardness of tissue or injection of glutaraldehydelow formaldehyde mixes to moderate reaction yield excellent results It is shocking how little formaldehyde is needed to yield classical signs of embalming (firmness rigidity skin tightness) in normal body injections (typically 4-6 ounces in the last part of the injection of a moderate concentration [index 20] fluid) Injections that stress and take advantage of the inherent advantages of both aldehydes yield the consistently best embalming results The overall goal of chemical selection mix in the modern embalming room should be a juxtaposition of lowered total overall exposure risk balanced against sufficient and effective embalming results

Works Citedbull Pg 2 MSDS for GlutaraldehydeWater 5050

httpwwwsciencelabcommsdsphpmsdsId=9924161

bull Pg 3 Chemical Labels httpwwwchemicallabelscomimglgLGlutaraldehyde-NFPA-Chemical-Label-LB-1592-063gif

bull Pg 4 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 5 Wikipedia

bull httpenwikipediaorgwikiGlutaraldehyde

bull Pg 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention httpwwwcdcgovnioshtopicsglutaraldehyde

bull Pg 7 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James

bull httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 8 Macherey-Nagel

bull httpwwwmn-netcomtabid11208defaultaspx

Production and StructureGlutaraldehyde is produced industrially by the oxidation of cyclopentene

and by the Diels-Alder reaction of acrolein and methyl vinyl ether followed by hydrolysis

Like other dialdehydes (eg glyoxal) it does not exist as the dialdehyde but as the hydrate These hydrates adopt several structures

Monomeric glutaraldehyde can polymerize by aldol condensation reaction yielding alpha beta-unsaturated poly-glutaraldehyde This

reaction usually occurs at alkaline pH values

Also used forA cold sterilant in the health care

industryA cross-linking and tanning agentA biocide in metalworking fluids

and in oil and gas pipelinesAn antimicrobial in water-

treatment systemsA slimicide in paper

manufacturingA preservative in cosmetics

A disinfectant in animal housingA tissue fixative in histology and

pathology labsA hardening agent in the

development of X-raysIn embalming solutions

In the preparation of grafts and bioprostheses

In various clinical applications

Glutaraldehyde amp FormaldehydeFormaldehyde and glutaraldehyde each have much to offer to the modern embalming industry Formaldehyde excels in certain embalming scenarios such as edema and presents rapid and classical results familiar to embalmers Glutaraldehyde excels at sanitizing abilitymildness of reaction tissue clearing cosmetic effect and prolonged delayed action Glutaraldehyde is excellent in cavity fluids where contact times are long and resistant fixation is essential In arterial injections of typically normal bodies pre-injection of glutaraldehyde followed by formaldehyde injection torapidly induce hardness of tissue or injection of glutaraldehydelow formaldehyde mixes to moderate reaction yield excellent results It is shocking how little formaldehyde is needed to yield classical signs of embalming (firmness rigidity skin tightness) in normal body injections (typically 4-6 ounces in the last part of the injection of a moderate concentration [index 20] fluid) Injections that stress and take advantage of the inherent advantages of both aldehydes yield the consistently best embalming results The overall goal of chemical selection mix in the modern embalming room should be a juxtaposition of lowered total overall exposure risk balanced against sufficient and effective embalming results

Works Citedbull Pg 2 MSDS for GlutaraldehydeWater 5050

httpwwwsciencelabcommsdsphpmsdsId=9924161

bull Pg 3 Chemical Labels httpwwwchemicallabelscomimglgLGlutaraldehyde-NFPA-Chemical-Label-LB-1592-063gif

bull Pg 4 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 5 Wikipedia

bull httpenwikipediaorgwikiGlutaraldehyde

bull Pg 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention httpwwwcdcgovnioshtopicsglutaraldehyde

bull Pg 7 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James

bull httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 8 Macherey-Nagel

bull httpwwwmn-netcomtabid11208defaultaspx

Also used forA cold sterilant in the health care

industryA cross-linking and tanning agentA biocide in metalworking fluids

and in oil and gas pipelinesAn antimicrobial in water-

treatment systemsA slimicide in paper

manufacturingA preservative in cosmetics

A disinfectant in animal housingA tissue fixative in histology and

pathology labsA hardening agent in the

development of X-raysIn embalming solutions

In the preparation of grafts and bioprostheses

In various clinical applications

Glutaraldehyde amp FormaldehydeFormaldehyde and glutaraldehyde each have much to offer to the modern embalming industry Formaldehyde excels in certain embalming scenarios such as edema and presents rapid and classical results familiar to embalmers Glutaraldehyde excels at sanitizing abilitymildness of reaction tissue clearing cosmetic effect and prolonged delayed action Glutaraldehyde is excellent in cavity fluids where contact times are long and resistant fixation is essential In arterial injections of typically normal bodies pre-injection of glutaraldehyde followed by formaldehyde injection torapidly induce hardness of tissue or injection of glutaraldehydelow formaldehyde mixes to moderate reaction yield excellent results It is shocking how little formaldehyde is needed to yield classical signs of embalming (firmness rigidity skin tightness) in normal body injections (typically 4-6 ounces in the last part of the injection of a moderate concentration [index 20] fluid) Injections that stress and take advantage of the inherent advantages of both aldehydes yield the consistently best embalming results The overall goal of chemical selection mix in the modern embalming room should be a juxtaposition of lowered total overall exposure risk balanced against sufficient and effective embalming results

Works Citedbull Pg 2 MSDS for GlutaraldehydeWater 5050

httpwwwsciencelabcommsdsphpmsdsId=9924161

bull Pg 3 Chemical Labels httpwwwchemicallabelscomimglgLGlutaraldehyde-NFPA-Chemical-Label-LB-1592-063gif

bull Pg 4 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 5 Wikipedia

bull httpenwikipediaorgwikiGlutaraldehyde

bull Pg 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention httpwwwcdcgovnioshtopicsglutaraldehyde

bull Pg 7 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James

bull httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 8 Macherey-Nagel

bull httpwwwmn-netcomtabid11208defaultaspx

Glutaraldehyde amp FormaldehydeFormaldehyde and glutaraldehyde each have much to offer to the modern embalming industry Formaldehyde excels in certain embalming scenarios such as edema and presents rapid and classical results familiar to embalmers Glutaraldehyde excels at sanitizing abilitymildness of reaction tissue clearing cosmetic effect and prolonged delayed action Glutaraldehyde is excellent in cavity fluids where contact times are long and resistant fixation is essential In arterial injections of typically normal bodies pre-injection of glutaraldehyde followed by formaldehyde injection torapidly induce hardness of tissue or injection of glutaraldehydelow formaldehyde mixes to moderate reaction yield excellent results It is shocking how little formaldehyde is needed to yield classical signs of embalming (firmness rigidity skin tightness) in normal body injections (typically 4-6 ounces in the last part of the injection of a moderate concentration [index 20] fluid) Injections that stress and take advantage of the inherent advantages of both aldehydes yield the consistently best embalming results The overall goal of chemical selection mix in the modern embalming room should be a juxtaposition of lowered total overall exposure risk balanced against sufficient and effective embalming results

Works Citedbull Pg 2 MSDS for GlutaraldehydeWater 5050

httpwwwsciencelabcommsdsphpmsdsId=9924161

bull Pg 3 Chemical Labels httpwwwchemicallabelscomimglgLGlutaraldehyde-NFPA-Chemical-Label-LB-1592-063gif

bull Pg 4 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 5 Wikipedia

bull httpenwikipediaorgwikiGlutaraldehyde

bull Pg 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention httpwwwcdcgovnioshtopicsglutaraldehyde

bull Pg 7 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James

bull httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 8 Macherey-Nagel

bull httpwwwmn-netcomtabid11208defaultaspx

Works Citedbull Pg 2 MSDS for GlutaraldehydeWater 5050

httpwwwsciencelabcommsdsphpmsdsId=9924161

bull Pg 3 Chemical Labels httpwwwchemicallabelscomimglgLGlutaraldehyde-NFPA-Chemical-Label-LB-1592-063gif

bull Pg 4 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 5 Wikipedia

bull httpenwikipediaorgwikiGlutaraldehyde

bull Pg 6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention httpwwwcdcgovnioshtopicsglutaraldehyde

bull Pg 7 Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No 649 2003 by Bendito James

bull httpsdocsgooglecomviewerurl=http3A2F2Fwwwchampion-neweracom2FCHAMPPDFS2Fencyclo649pdf

bull Pg 8 Macherey-Nagel

bull httpwwwmn-netcomtabid11208defaultaspx