Liberation of Alkalinized Glutaraldehyde by Respirators After Cold Sterilization

Abstract

SUMMARY The toxicological aspects of sterilizing respirators with glutaraldehyde (GA) were studied. It was found that rubber and plastic parts adsorb detectable amounts of GA during cold sterilization. Considering die values for acute and inhalation toxicity presented in the literature and our own inhalation tests on mice, diese amounts seem to constitute no danger to the patients. In the course of diis work it also became evident that the tendency of different synthetic materials to adsorb GA varies considerably. Accordingly, the manufacturers of respiratory equipment should study the adsorption of sterilizing agents when choosing plastic and rubber materials for their products. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Es wurden die toxikologischen Aspekte der Sterilisation von Respiratoren mit Glutaraldehyd (GA) untersucht. Dabei stellte sich heraus, dass Gummi‐ und Plastikteile erkennbare Mengen von GA während der Kaltsterilisation adsorbieren. Angesichts der in der Literatur angegebenen Werte für die akute und die Inhalationstoxizität, sowie unserer eigenen Inhalationsversuche an Mäusen, scheinen diese Mengen keine Gefahr für die Patienten darzustellen. Im Verlauf unserer Untersuchungen stellte sich auch heraus, dass die Tendenz verschiedener synthetischer Materialien, GA zu adsorbieren, beträchdich variiert. Dementsprechend sollten die Erzeuger von Respiratorbestandteilen die Adsorption von Sterilisationsagentien durch Gummi‐ und Plastikmaterial der von ihnen verwendeten Produkte untersuchen.

Bacterial spores and chemical sporicidal agents

“…In the microbiological context, the dialdehyde has chiefly been used for the chemical sterilization of medical equipment which cannot be sterilized by physical methods (84,163,185,186,216,222). The main advantages claimed for its use as a chemosterilizer are (i) its broad spectrum of activity, especially good sporicidal properties; (ii) its activity in the presence of organic matter; (iii) its rapid antimicrobial action, although spores are considerably less susceptible than nonsporing bacteria; (iv) its noncorrosive action towards metals, rubber, lenses, and most materials, although some formulations may not fulfil these criteria (9, 11); (v) its lack of harmful effects on cement or lenses of bronchoscopes, cystoscopes, or telescopes; and (vi) its ease of use.…”

Bronchial hypersecretion in preterm neonates.

“…All 4 humidifiers were contaminated with glutaraldehyde, liberated at a mean rate of 19 ,ug/hour by the test procedure, during the first Fig. 3 Relationship between dynamic compliance and thoracic gas volume. Shaded area represents 95% confidence limitsfor normal infants.…”

“…Because of the suspicion on a previous occasion that contamination of the ventilator circuit might be responsible, the following investigations were performed. Four humidifiers (Vickers Model 90) were obtained randomly from ward stock having undergone routine sterilisation with alkalinised glutaraldehyde, and were tested for residual glutaraldehyde using an air flow of 3 I/min, by the procedure of Varpela et al 3 The humidifiers, had previously been routinely dismantled and soaked in activated glutaraldehyde for 10 minutes, then rinsed by passing through 2 containers of distilled water before being drip dried. Detergent detection was performed on 6 sets of ventilator tubing.…”

Aldehydes and Acetals

“…Fifty percent of the mice in each group were sacrificed immediately postexposure, and the remaining animals were killed the next day. Lungs and kidneys showed no histopathological damage, but the livers of the mice exposed at 33 ppm showed definite signs of toxic hepatitis (358).…”

“…When mice were exposed to 8 and 33 ppm of alkaline glutaraldehyde for 24 h, the animals reacted with nervous behavior, which disappeared after washing (358). Fifty percent of the mice in each group were sacrificed immediately postexposure, and the remaining animals were killed the next day.…”