Glutaraldehyde is a hazardous chemical that can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation. It may cause tissue damage and burns upon contact and severe overexposure can be fatal. Repeated or prolonged exposure may damage organs like the liver, spleen and nervous system. While it carries cancer risks, glutaraldehyde is widely used as a sterilizing agent in healthcare and other industries due to its strong disinfecting capabilities. It works by crosslinking proteins to kill microbes. Debates remain around its use in embalming compared to formaldehyde.

1. Glutaraldehyde
Jason Mason

2. Health Risks
• Potential Acute Health Effects:
• Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye
contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation (lung
irritant, lung sensitizer).
• Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact
(sensitizer, permeator). Liquid or spray mist may
produce tissue damage particularly
• on mucous membranes of eyes, mouth and
respiratory tract. Skin contact may produce burns.
Inhalation of the spray mist may
• produce severe irritation of respiratory tract,
characterized by coughing, choking, or shortness of
breath. Severe over-exposure
• can result in death.
• Potential Chronic Health Effects:
• CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Classified A4 (Not classifiable for
human or animal.) by ACGIH [Glutaraldehyde]. MUTAGENIC
• EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells.
[Glutaraldehyde]. Mutagenic for bacteria and/or yeast.
[Glutaraldehyde].
• TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. DEVELOPMENTAL
TOXICITY: Classified Reproductive system/toxin/female,
• Reproductive system/toxin/male [SUSPECTED] [Glutaraldehyde].
The substance may be toxic to blood, the reproductive
• system, liver, mucous membranes, spleen, central nervous system
(CNS), Urinary System. Repeated or prolonged exposure
• to the substance can produce target organs damage. Repeated or
prolonged contact with spray mist may produce chronic
• eye irritation and severe skin irritation. Repeated or prolonged
exposure to spray mist may produce respiratory tract irritation
• leading to frequent attacks of bronchial infection. Repeated exposure
to a highly toxic material may produce general
• deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many human
organs.

4. Background
In the late 1950's a successful method of industrialization was
patented that utilized 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 peaked in the 1960's after several investigations
discovered glutaraldehyde's outstanding disinfection and
sterilization capabilities; capabilities that exceeded even
formaldehyde (industry standard at the time). During this boom in
interest, glutaraldehyde performed duties as active ingredient in
products such as: high-level disinfectants, cold-chemical sterilants,
and potent sporicides.
Even today glutaraldehyde is essentially considered the gold-
standard for chemical forms of sterilization.
"All disinfectants and new alternative disinfectant chemicals efficacy are
based upon comparison to glutaraldehyde efficacy." - James H. Bedino

5. Production and Structure
Glutaraldehyde 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 (e.g., 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.

6. Also used for...
Sterilant in the health care
industry
Tanning agent (most interesting,
previously unknown fact about
glutaraldehyde for me)
A biocide for metalworking fluids
A biocide for oil and gas pipelines
An antimicrobial in water-treatment
systems
A preservative in cosmetics
A disinfectant in animal housing
A slimicide (paper manufacturing)
In the development of X-rays
(hardening agent)
A tissue fixative in pathology and
histology labs
In the preparation of grafts and
bioprostheses
In various clinical applications

7. Glutaraldehyde & Formaldehyde
There is constant debate as to the advantages/disadvantages of embalming
uses of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
Formaldehyde excels in such embalming scenarios as edema and produces
rabid results that embalmers as a whole generally considers valuable.
Glutaraldehyde excells at sanitation, has a mildness in reaction, provides a favorable
cosmetic effect; all with prolonged, delayed action making it an excellent cavity fluid
(where contact times are long and resistant fixation is essential).
Options for using both chemicals to their full advantage (recommended):
(during a routine embalming) use a pre-injection of glutaraldehyde followed by a
primary injection of formaldehyde (to induce the desired results of firmness, rigidity,
skin tightness). Given the low volume of formaldehyde necessary to produce desired
results (typically 4-6 ounces in the last part of the injection of a moderate
concentration [index 20] fluid), it is also favorably effective to use injections consisting
of both glutaraldehyde and a low quantity of formaldehyde (especially useful when
avoiding pre-injection).
Summarily, both formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde have their uses in the
embalming room. Using both in a manner that facilitates their advantages to be taken
advantage of would be optimal.
"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." - James H. Bedino

8. Works Cited
Pg 2 "MSDS Glutaraldehyde Water 50%/50%." Science Lab.com
21 May 2013. Web document. Data accessed 02 July 2013.
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924161
Pg 3 "Glutaraldehyde." Chemical Labels
2013. Web image. Data accessed 02 July 2013.
http://www.chemicallabels.com/img/lg/L/Glutaraldehyde-NFPA-Chemical-Label-LB-
1592-063.gif
Pg 4/7 Bedino, James H. "Embalming Chemistry: Glutaraldehyde versus Formaldehyde." Champion
Expanding Encyclopedia of Mortuary Practices No. 649, 2003.
2003. Web document. Data accessed 02 July 2013.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.champion-newera.com
%2FCHAMP.PDFS%2Fencyclo649.pdf
Pg 5 "Glutaraldehyde." Wikipedia
8 April 2013. Web. Web image. Data accessed 02 July 2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutaraldehyde
Pg 6 "Glutaraldehyde." Workplace Safety & Health Topics. CDC
24 Feb 2012. Web. Data accessed 02 July 2013.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/glutaraldehyde/
Pg 8 "Quantofix® Glutaraldehyde" Macherey-Nagel
2013. Web image. Data accessed 02 July 2013.
http://www.mn-net.com/tabid/11208/default.aspx