Safety Talk

What’s at Stake? Glutaraldehyde is a toxic chemical that is used in certain circumstances to disinfect and clean medical, surgical and dental equipment. It is used when equipment can’t be sterilized with heat, or if something can’t fit in a sterilizing unit. Glutaraldehyde is common in hospital settings and is also used in histology and pathology laboratories to fixate tissues and as a hardening agent in the development of x-rays. What’s the Danger? Glutaraldehyde is toxic – in both liquid and vapor form and exposure to either form can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract, causing coughing and wheezing, nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, […]