Transportation and Storage of Glutaraldehyde
- Transport glutaraldehyde solution only in closed containers with tight-fitting lids to minimize the potential for spills.
- Designate centralized locations for using glutaraldehyde to reduce the potential for spills during transport.
- Store unused glutaraldehyde solutions in tightly covered containers in a cool, secured, and properly labeled area.
- Dispose of outdated solutions properly.
It is important to properly store and transport glutaraldehyde.
Use and Handling Procedures
- When transferring glutaraldehyde to soaking basins and reservoirs, pour the liquid carefully and minimize splashing. Minimize splashing and agitation of glutaraldehyde solutions by careful placement and removal of instruments (NSW Health Department, 1993).
- When transferring and pouring glutaraldehyde solutions, use safety nozzles designed with a flexible spout and shut-off valve, when available.
- Keep covers on soaking basins closed as much as possible and use appropriately sized, tight-fitting lids for containers. Use appropriately sized soaking basins designed to minimize surface area (e.g., narrow, deep container) (ANSI/AAMI, 1996).
- Keep automatic washer doors closed at all times except when necessary for loading or unloading of instruments to be disinfected.
- Rinse soaked instruments under gently running water as close as possible to the soaking tray or washer to contain solution and minimize dripping on other surfaces (NSW Health Department, 1993).
- Use adequate ventilation if using compressed air to dry instruments rinsed with ethyl or isopropyl alcohol rinses.
- Use glutaraldehyde only in designated areas where traffic and ventilation can be controlled.
- Ensure that the ventilation system is operating prior to handling glutaraldehyde solutions.
- Close workroom doors to ensure the effectiveness of any available general dilution ventilation
- Do not store food, eat, drink, smoke, or apply cosmetics in any area where glutaraldehyde is stored or used.
- Clean up small glutaraldehyde spills and releases immediately. In the case of large spills or delayed response, employees should be encouraged to close doors, alert others and activate the HazMat spill response team.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-8. How should unused glutaraldehyde containers be stored?
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