Evaluation of procedural modifications to reduce glutaraldehyde vapors during the disinfection of endoscopes using three sampling methods

Details

• Personal Author:
  Derosso F ; Hegmann KT ; Lillquist DR ; Rivers AM ; Stephenson DJ
• Description:
  Glutaraldehyde is the preferred disinfectant for fiberoptic endoscopes. A number of studies have reported adverse health effects in workers exposed to glutaraldehyde vapors. High exposures can occur during the pouring and disposal of glutaraldehyde solutions. This study has tested the effectiveness of three procedural modifications designed to reduce exposures during these activities. These procedures were: (1) the use of a splash-resistant safety nozzle during the pouring of glutaraldehyde solutions, (2) the use of neutralizers during the disposal of glutaraldehyde solutions, and (3) the pouring of 14-day versus 28-day glutaraldehyde solutions. This study also evaluated three sampling methods to monitor glutaraldehyde vapors. The three methods evaluated were: (1) the OSHA method 64 using filter cassettes impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH); (2) DNPH-coated passive diffusion badges; and (3) a direct reading glutaraldehyde meter. Results showed that when the safety nozzle was not used during disinfection procedures, geometric means for all sampling methods were above the ACGIH TLV of 0.05 ppm (filter cassettes=0.105 ppm; passive badges=0.191 ppm; meter=0.082 ppm). Using the safety nozzle during the pour resulted in significant reductions in glutaraldehyde vapor concentrations (filter cassettes=0.014 ppm; passive badges=0.027 ppm; meter=0.021 ppm). Disposal of non-neutralized glutaraldehyde solutions resulted in peak vapor concentrations of up to 0.10 ppm. Neutralization prior to disposal reduced glutaraldehyde vapor concentrations to less than 0.01 ppm. Conclusive differences were not found when the pouring of the 14-day glutaraldehyde solution was compared to the pouring of the 28-day glutaraldehyde solution. Both solution pours resulted in vapor concentration means exceeding the TLV. Comparison of sampling methods showed no statistically significant differences between each method pair or when all methods were compared simultaneously. For the detection of glutaraldehyde vapors, the meter was as sensitive and as accurate as the filter cassettes. In conclusion, employees can significantly reduce exposures to glutaraldehyde vapors by using these modified pouring and disposal procedures, and the meter examined in this study provides an optimal method to measure glutaraldehyde vapors. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aldehydes Disinfectants Formaldehyde Hazardous Substances Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Safety Management Solvents Volatilization

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• Keywords:
  Chemical-cleaning Chemical-deposition Control-methods Exposure-levels Exposure-limits Hazardous-materials Health-hazards Materials-handling Occupational-exposure Safety-measures Sampling-methods Vapor-detectors Vapors Work-practices Worker-health

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• ISSN:
  1074-9098
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 8 ; Utah
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  13-20
• Volume:
  9
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20038167
• Citation:
  Chem Health Saf 2002 Jul-Aug; 9(4):13-20
• Contact Point Address:
  Dale J. Stephenson, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, 75 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84111-2147 USA
• Email:
  dstephenson@dfpm.utah.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Glutaraldehyde (CAS RN 111-30-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2002
• Performing Organization:
  University of Utah
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Chemical Health & Safety
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e759bc98642c3c07da4ff0e13b53b0f07624baffc5b251abe6d394f1c6dff8375c07126a8fae5d24abb766b59757dfc4dd8fb8c3266b78015cf39c040861302e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/191960/cdc_191960_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 146.26 KB ]