Glutaraldehyde disinfectant should be sealed and kept away from light in a cool, dry and ventilated place. It shall not be stored in the open air or mixed with other toxic substances.

 

Glutaraldehyde is irritant to skin and mucous membrane, and toxic to human. Glutaraldehyde solution has serious damage to eyes. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare and use in a well ventilated place. If necessary, exhaust equipment can be equipped in the place of use. Pay attention to personal protection during preparation and use, wear protective mask, protective gloves (nitrile or butyl rubber gloves are recommended, but natural latex gloves are not allowed) and protective glasses. In case of inadvertent contact, wash with water immediately and continuously, and see a doctor as soon as possible if eye injury occurs. In order to ensure the disinfection / sterilization effect, the container used to soak the instrument must be clean and capped, and must be disinfected before use.

 

Glutaraldehyde aqueous solution is acidic, usually in the acidic state can not kill bacterial spores. Only when the pH of the solution is 7.5-8.5 through alkaline "activation" can the solution kill bacterial spores. At the basic pH level, glutaraldehyde is easy to polymerize. The polymerization of glutaraldehyde makes the aldehyde group of glutaraldehyde molecular active site which is responsible for killing bacterial spores closed, so the bactericidal effect will be reduced. Therefore, in the process of continuous use, the concentration monitoring should be strengthened. If the concentration is lower than 1.8%, the use should be stopped immediately, and the continuous use should be ≤ 14 days.

 

There are reports in the United States that glutaraldehyde disinfectant residual in the lumen of the endoscope can cause colitis. At the same time, the report also confirmed that the standardized endoscopic cleaning process can prevent the occurrence of colitis. If the ophthalmic instruments soaked in glutaraldehyde disinfectant are not rinsed sufficiently, it will cause ophthalmic diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to wash the instrument thoroughly after using glutaraldehyde for disinfection / sterilization.