Number
107-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Health services
Function
Biocide
Cleaning agent
Process
Manual activities involving hand contact
Product category
Biocidal products
washing ad cleaning products
Application
Disinfecting of medical equipment in washing mashines
Abstract
Glutaraldehyde has previously been used to disinfect heat-sensitive medical equipment in dishwashers. It was found that glutaraldehyde could be substituted with a solution of peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
Substituted substances
Glutaraldehyde
CAS No. 111-30-8 EC No. 203-856-5 Index No. 605-022-00-X
Chemical group
Aldehyde
Classification: hazard statements
H330 Fatal if inhaled
H301 Toxic if swallowed
H335 May cause respiratory irritation
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Alternative Substances
Peracetic acid
CAS No. 79-21-0 EC No. 201-186-8 Index No. 607-094-00-8
Chemical group
Peroxides
Classification: hazard statements
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H242 Heating may cause a fire
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
Hydrogen peroxide
CAS No. 7722-84-1 EC No. 231-765-0 Index No. 008-003-00-9
Chemical group
Peroxides
Classification: hazard statements
H271 May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
skin/respiratory sensitizing
sensitizing
ecotoxicity
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: The substituted substance is in the database of hazardous substances according to SUBSPORTplus screening criteria (SDSC).. Glutaraldehyde is also fatal if inhaled, is toxic if swallowed, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, is very toxic to aquatic life, is toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects, may cause an allergic skin reaction, may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled and may cause respiratory irritation. Alternative substances: The alternative substances peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide are not listed in the database of hazardous substances according to SUBSPORTplus screening criteria (SDSC). The alternatives hold similar hazard statements as glutaraldehyde except that glutaraldehyde is also a known allergen.
Description of Substitution
Glutaraldehyde is used as a disinfectant to clean heat-sensitive medical equipment in dishwashers. Since the compound is a known allergy-causing substance a substitution to something less hazardous would be good from a workplace environment perspective. One solution which has been implemented stepwise since 2003 at Uppsala University Hospital is to substitute glutaraldehyde with a solution of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Unfortunately this substitution is not as simple as exchanging the chemicals. The dishwashers need to be converted or exchanged in order for the method to work correctly. It is therefore useful to plan the substitution several years in advance so that when equipment needs to be replaced, it can be replaced with equipment compatible with the substitution. The advantages of this substitution is mainly a decreased risk for personnel handling the dishwashers, the limitation is as previously stated that the dishwashers need to be replaced. It is also important to note that peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide are toxic and should still be handled with care. Also, peracetic acid is only sold as a 45% mix with 10% hydrogen peroxide. (Otherwise it is too unstable).
Case/substitution evaluation
The advantage of this substitution is that staff is no longer exposed to an allergenic substance. The substances in the alternative mixture are less hazardous, but still need to be handled carefully and should be replaced in the future.
State of implementation
Full capacity
Date and place of implementation
2003
Enterprise using the alternative
All county councils in Sweden.
Availability ofAlternative
On the market
Type of information supplier
User
Contact
Environmental Chemist Environment and Chemistry Unit, Uppsala Country Council.
Date, reviewed
December 11, 2020