Glutaraldehyde is a colorless liquid with an oily sheen and a strong odor that is commonly used to disinfect and sterilize various medical and industrial applications. In particular, it is very effective against a wide range of microorganisms which makes it suitable when disinfecting heat-sensitive equipment like endoscopes and bronchoscopes. Ensuring your glutaraldehyde is safe and effective is a task of utmost importance, especially in medical facilities, and Health Choice Enterprises is available to help by offering glutaraldehyde services that include:

• Regular ceiling level readings and full ventilation analysis.
• Routine checks for proper attire, handling practices, and spill responses.
• A certified technician to ensure that all setup and maintenance is in compliance with current state and federal regulations.

Purpose

• To minimize employee exposure to glutaraldehyde by evaluating work procedures and engineering controls.

• To format monitoring results to satisfy the requirements and recommendations set forth by OSHA, Department of Labor, NIOSH, JCAHO, and insurance companies that offer liability coverage.

• To utilize testing results as a basis for making appropriate recommendations aimed at reducing employee exposure.

This management program helps follow the guidelines of OSHA Federal Register, Section 1910.1000,1910.1550, and test the effectiveness of systems designed to reduce employee exposure to glutaraldehyde.  Trace gas contamination is usually the result of four main factors:

• Improper ventilation
• Work practice control
• Exhaust system malfunctions
• Engineering controls

Protocol

The Lion Glutaraldemeter, which uses state of the art fuel cell technology, will be used to make on-site determinations for glutaraldehyde during the handling of cold sterilant solutions.  Real-time readings will be taken at various source locations abd at short intervals of time to provide an integrated personal exposure analysis.

Health Choice Enterprises will also determine air exchange rates in problem areas ( areas that have exceeded the glutaraldehyde PEL ) by measuring ventilation supply air flow in locations where the monitoring is performed. A ShortRidge flow hood will be used to obtain the air flow measurements.