GLUTARALDEHYDE %50

GLUTARALDEHYDE %50
CAS NO :111-30-8
SYNONYMS :glutaraldehyde;Pentanedial;Glutaral;111-30-8;;Glutaric dialdehyde;Cidex;Glutardialdehyde;1,5-Pentanedial;Sonacide;Pentane-1,5-dial;Glutaric aldehyde;Glutaraldehyd;Glutaralum;Glutarol;Ucarcide;Aldesan;Alhydex;Hospex;Glutaric acid dialdehyde;1,3-Diformylpropane;Gluteraldehyde;1,5-Pentanedione;Aldesen;Novaruca;Sporicidin;Aldehyd glutarowy;Polyglutaraldehyde;Poly(glutaraldehyde);NCI-C55425;Caswell No. 468;Glutaraldehyd [Czech];Glutaraldehyde solution;Glutaclean;Sterihyde;Aqucar;Glutaralum [INN-Latin];Veruca-sep;Relugan GT;Relugan GTW;Aldehyd glutarowy [Polish];component of Cidex;Glutarex 28; NC13392;Glutaral [USAN:INN:JAN];Sonacide (TN);Cidex 7;Ucarcide 250;UNII-T3C89M417N;Relugan GT 50;Sterihyde L (TN);CCRIS 3800;HSDB 949;Pentanedial, homopolymer;Coldcide-25 microbiocide;EINECS 203-856-5;EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 043901;Glutaral (JAN/USP/INN);BRN 0605390;Potentiated acid glutaraldehyde;CHEBI:64276;T3C89M417N;1, 5-Pentanedial;MFCD00007025;Glutaraldehyde solution (50% or less);Glutaraldehyde solution, 25% in water;NCGC00091110-01;DSSTox_CID_5355;DSSTox_RID_77761;DSSTox_GSID_25355;Glutaraldehyde Solution, 25%;1,3-Diformyl propane;Diswart;Gludesin;Glutarol-1,5-pentanedial;CAS-111-30-8;Glutaric dialdehyde, 25 wt.% solution in water;Glutaric dialdehyde, 50 wt.% solution in water;pentandial;Dioxopentane;Glutural;Ucarset;Verucasep;Glutaraldehyde solution, for electron microscopy, ~25% in H2O;Virsal;Glutaral(usan);Sterihyde L;glutaric dihydride; Glutaral [USAN:USP:INN:JAN];Glutaric dialdehyde, electron microscopy grade, 25% solution in water, purified;GLUTARALDEHYDE, 25% SOLN;Bactron K31;Ucarcide 225;Glutaraldehyde,solution;ACMC-1BGTC;pentane-1,5-dialdehyde;Glutaral, INN, USAN;Protectol GDA, GT 50;SCHEMBL836;WLN: VH3VH;EC 203-856-5;Glutaric dialdehyde solution;4-01-00-03659 (Beilstein Handbook Reference);KSC175E5H;BIDD:ER0299;Glutaraldehyde Solution, 50%;[DID-no:2408];CHEMBL1235482;DTXSID6025355;CTK0H5253;KS-00000WUC;Bio1_000462;Bio1_000951;Bio1_001440;NSC13392;STR01121;ZINC1729593;Tox21_111083;Tox21_201742;Tox21_303295;ANW-43543;LS-529;NSC-13392;STL281872;AKOS008967285;DB03266;MCULE-6802048757;NE10465;Glutaricdialdehyde, 25%sol. In water;Glutaric dialdehyde, 25% sol. in water;NCGC00091110-02;NCGC00091110-03,NCGC00257231-01;NCGC00259291-01;29257-65-6;I856;SC-22641;Glutaric dialdehyde, 8% solution in water;Glutaraldehyde solution, 25 wt. % in H2O;Glutaraldehyde solution, 50 wt. % in H2O;FT-0626730;G0067;G0068;NS00004136;EN300-18037;C12518;D01120;Glutaraldehyde solution, for synthesis, 25.0%;49147-EP2270505A1;49147-EP2280274A2;49147-EP2282200A2;49147-EP2287152A2;49147-EP2287155A1;49147-EP2298312A1;49147-EP2301940A1;49147-EP2308848A1;49147-EP2311823A1;49147-EP2372017A1;49147-EP2377842A1;49147-EP2377845A1;Glutaraldehyde solution, Grade II, 25% in H2O;Glutaric dialdehyde solution, 50 wt. % in H2O;GLutaric solution, for in vitro diagnostic use;Q-201162;Glutaric dialdehyde solution, 50 wt. % in H2O, FCC;F2191-0161;Glutaraldehyde solution, SAJ first grade, 20.0-26.0%;Glutaraldehyde solution, technical, ~25% in H2O (2.6 M);Glutaraldehyde solution, technical, ~50% in H2O (5.6 M);Glutaraldehyde solution, 1.2 % (w/v) glutaraldehyde in H2O;Glutaraldehyde solution, for electron microscopy, ~50% in H2O;Glutaraldehyde solution, for electron microscopy, ~8% in H2O;Glutaraldehyde solution, 50% in H2O, suitable for photographic applications;Glutaraldehyde solution, Grade I, 25% in H2O, specially purified for use as an electron microscopy fixative;Glutaraldehyde solution, Grade I, 50% in H2O, specially purified for use as an electron microscopy fixative or other sophisticated use;Glutaraldehyde solution, Grade I, 70% in H2O, specially purified for use as an electron microscopy fixative or other sophisticated use;Glutaraldehyde solution, Grade I, 8% in H2O, specially purified for use as an electron microscopy fixative or other sophisticated use

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Glutaraldehyde is a colorless liquid. It is registered for pesticide use in the U.S. but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses. It is used as algaecide, bacteriocide and fungicide. Glutaraldehyde is used as a tissue fixative in histology and electron and light microscopy, generally as a 1.5-6% aqueous solution. Glutaraldehyde is used, generally in conjunction with wetting agents, to control viruses and other micro-organisms in fish farming. Glutaraldehyde is allowed as a preservative in cosmetics in Europe at concentrations up to 0.1%. It is not allowed in aerosols and sprays. Glutaraldehyde is a biocide commonly used in a 2% concentration for cold sterilization of surgical and dental equipment. Biocides, such as glutaraldehyde, are added to eliminate bacterial growth in fracturing fluids. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: Exposure to concentrations < 1 ppm by inhalation or skin contact may  cause irritation of the skin and/or mucous membranes. The critical effects of glutaraldehyde exposure are eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, skin sensitization and occupational asthma. Nose and throat irritation has been observed in humans at vapor concentrations below 0.2 ppm. Occupational asthma has also been reported in workers exposed to dilute solutions of glutaraldehyde. Contact dermatitis and eye irritation have been reported in workers using glutaraldehyde solutions, usually 2% or higher. Skin sensitization has been confirmed in workers using dilute solutions. Other symptoms that may be brought on by glutaraldehyde exposure include heart palpitations and tachycardia. The incidence of death and incidence of cancer deaths in 186 male employees at a glutaraldehyde production unit were compared to those of US white males and to 29,000 other chemical workers during the period 1959 - 1978. All subjects were observed for 10 yr. The number of deaths was less than expected, as was the incidence of cancer deaths. ANIMAL STUDIES: Glutaraldehyde was corrosive to the skin and eyes of rabbits at high concentrations, with signs of skin irritation evident at 2%, and eye irritation at 0.2%. In an inhalation study where mice were exposed to glutaraldehyde at concentrations of 33 or 133 ppb for 24 hours, the animals exhibited panting and increased grooming, mice that inhaled the highest concentration developed toxic hepatitis. Following a single whole-body inhalation exposure at 1 ppm for 1 day, rats and mice developed coagulation pathology of the upper respiratory tract squamous epithelium. After 4 days of such exposures, inflammatory granulocytic infiltrate into the squamous epithelium and lamina propria with thickened epithelium of the nasal lumen ensued. In those animals inhaling 0.5 or 1 ppm glutaraldehyde for four days, the nasal passages became obstructed with intraluminal debris; degenerative/hyperplastic erosions with epithelial abscesses extended as far as the nasopharyngeal meatus in the 1-ppm exposure group. A study of male and female rats given glutaraldehyde in drinking water at concentrations of 0, 50, 250, or 100 ppm through two generations indicated a dose-related decrease in parental water consumption and body weight (attributed to adverse taste) and decrease in offspring (1000-ppm group) body weights. No adverse reproductive effects were observed. In other study there was a significant dose-dependent reduction in the average of maternal body weight gain and a significant increase in the number of stunted (body weight) and malformed fetuses at the 5 mL/mg/day dose level. Early mutagenicity studies were negative, but more recent studies have indicated that glutaraldehyde is mutagenic in vitro in bacterial assays and tests in mammalian cells. In vivo genotoxicity tests to date have proven negative. Groups of 50 male and 50 female rats and mice were exposed to glutaraldehyde vapor at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.50, or 0.75 (rats) and 0, 0.062, 0.12, or 0.25 ppm (mice) 6 hr/day, 5 days /week. The incidences of non-neoplastic lesions of the nose were reported to be significantly increased in the 0.50 and 0.75-ppm exposed rats and in the 0.12 and 0.25-ppm exposed male and female mice. ECOTOXICITY STUDIES: Available chronic toxicity data for glutaraldehyde indicate that continuous exposure results in measurable effects on coldwater fish at a concentration of 5.1 mg a.i./L. A second study on coldwater fish resulted in measurable effects at 2.5 mg a.i./L. Measurable effects on freshwater invertebrates were noted at concentrations of 8.5 mg/L product and 4.9 mg a.i./L.
Glutaraldehyde, sold under the brandname Cidex and Glutaral among others, is a disinfectant, medication, preservative, and fixative.[3][4][5][6] As a disinfectant, it is used to sterilize surgical instruments and other areas of hospitals.[3] As a medication, it is used to treat warts on the bottom of the feet.[4] Glutaraldehyde is applied as a liquid.[3]
Side effects include skin irritation.[4] If exposed to large amounts, nausea, headache, and shortness of breath may occur.[3] Protective equipment is recommended when used, especially in high concentrations.[3] Glutaraldehyde is effective against a range of microorganisms including spores.[3][7] Glutaraldehyde is a dialdehyde.[8] It works by a number of mechanisms.[7]
Glutaraldehyde came into medical use in the 1960s.[9] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[10] There are a number of other commercial uses such as leather tanning.[11]
Disinfection
Glutaraldehyde is used as a disinfectant and medication.[3][4][12]
Usually applied as a solution, it is used to sterilize surgical instruments and other areas.[3]
Glutaraldehyde is a well-known sensitizer among cleaners and health workers. It is also found in X-ray developers products.
Glutaraldehyde, sold under the brandname Cidex and Glutaral among others, is a disinfectant, medication, preservative, and fixative.[3][4][5][6] As a disinfectant, it is used to sterilize surgical instruments and other areas of hospitals.[3] As a medication, it is used to treat warts on the bottom of the feet.[4] Glutaraldehyde is applied as a liquid.[3]
Side effects include skin irritation.[4] If exposed to large amounts, nausea, headache, and shortness of breath may occur.[3] Protective equipment is recommended when used, especially in high concentrations.[3] Glutaraldehyde is effective against a range of microorganisms including spores.[3][7] Glutaraldehyde is a dialdehyde.[8] It works by a number of mechanisms.[7]
Glutaraldehyde came into medical use in the 1960s.[9] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[10] There are a number of other commercial uses such as leather tanning.[11]
Glutaraldehyde is a colorless oily liquid with a strong, rotten apple odor. It is very soluble in water. USE: Glutaraldehyde is an antimicrobial chemical commonly used as a disinfectant in hospitals, agriculture and aquaculture, food handling and food storage establishments, and water treatment plants. It is used as a preservative in the manufacture of several consumer products, including cosmetics, cleaners, adhesives, paper, textiles and leathers, paints and coatings, and inks and dyes. Glutaraldehyde is also used as a tissue fixative in laboratories and embalming fluid and in photographic and X-ray development fluids. Glutaraldehyde is used in hydraulic fracturing and off-shore oil operations. EXPOSURE: Workers in hospitals, janitorial services, nursing homes, veterinary hospitals, and commercial and industrial businesses may be exposed to glutaraldehyde by breathing vapors in air or skin contact. General population exposure may occur by breathing in air and skin contact with consumer products containing glutaraldehyde. Glutaraldehyde is also present in gasoline and diesel engine exhaust. If glutaraldehyde is released to air, it will be degraded by reaction with other chemicals and light. If released to water or soil, it is expected to bind to soil particles or suspended particles. Glutaraldehyde is not expected to move into air from wet soils or water surfaces, but may move to air from dry soils. Glutaraldehyde is expected to be degraded by microorganisms and not build up in aquatic organisms. RISK: Runny nose, headache, facial and eye irritation, respiratory problems, skin irritation, and allergic skin reactions have been reported in medical and agricultural workers exposed to glutaraldehyde liquid or vapor during disinfection and sanitization activities. Asthma has been found in workers repeatedly exposed to glutaraldehyde vapors. Swelling, burning pain, and sensitivity to light can occur with direct eye contact. The risk of death from cancer was not increased with a history of occupational glutaraldehyde exposure. Eye irritation and skin irritation/sensitization occur with direct skin contact with diluted glutaraldehyde in laboratory animals. Severe irritation and burns occur with contact to undiluted gluraraldehyde. Stomach lesions, liver damage, and decreased body weight occurred in laboratory animals given repeated moderate doses of glutaraldehyde in water. Death occurred at high oral doses. Nasal, throat, and lung lesions and decreased body weights were found in laboratory animals repeatedly exposed to low air concentrations of glutaraldehyde. Birth defects and abortions were observed in laboratory animals at high oral doses that were also toxic to the mothers. Fertility was not affected in laboratory animals given high oral doses prior to mating. Tumors were not induced in laboratory animals given high oral doses in water or exposed to moderate air concentrations for their lifetime. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists determined that glutaraldehyde is not classifiable as a human carcinogen. The US EPA Carcinogenicity Assessment Review Committee classified glutaraldehyde as 'Not Likely to be Carcinogenetic to Humans" by any route of exposure, based on the lack tumor induction in several 2-year laboratory animal studies. The potential for glutaraldehyde to cause cancer in humans has not been assessed by the U.S. EPA IRIS program, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or the U.S. National Toxicology Program 13th Report on Carcinogens. (SRC)
Glutaraldehyde is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor, which readily changes to a glossy polymer. The Odor Threshold is 0.04 ppm (NY) and 0.2 ppm (NJ). It is miscible in water and organic solvents. Glutaraldehyde may be incompatible with strong oxidizers and strong bases. It should be noted that alkaline solutions containing glutaraldehyde may react with alcohol, ketones, amines, hydrazines, and proteins.
As broad-spectrum antimicrobial cold sterilant/disinfectant for hospital equipment; as tanning agent for leather; as tissue fixative; as cross-linking agent for proteins; as preservative in cosmetics; as therapeutic agent for warts, hyperhidrosis, and dermal mycotic infections; in X ray processing solutions and film emulsion; as a disinfectant in the beauty industry
Glutaraldehyde (Symbol GTA; glutaric dialdehyde, 1,5-pentanedial, glutaral) is commonly used in the medical industry in cold sterilization and in the X-ray development process. It can also be encountered in the leather industry as a tanning ingredient and in mortuary workers. There are no reports which indicate that glutaraldehyde is a naturally occurring compound. Cidex and Acusol, 2% buffered solutions, use this aldehyde as an active ingredient. Sodium bicarbonate is required to activate the solution, which then has a shelf life of 1–2 weeks. Despite health hazards involved with its use, glutaraldehyde is one of the most effective biocides used. It is particularly effective against bacteria and viruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus.
Glutaraldehyde is used to disinfect medical and dental equipment. Glutaraldehyde is also used for industrial water treatment and as a preservative.
Glutaraldehyde is used as a cold sterilizingdisinfectant, as fixatives for tissues, in tanning,and in cross-linking proteins.

Industry Processing Sectors
All other chemical product and preparation manufacturing
Embalming Fluid
Oil and gas drilling, extraction, and support activities
Paint and coating manufacturing
Paper manufacturing
Photographic film paper, plate, and chemical manufacturing
Soap, cleaning compound, and toilet preparation manufacturing
Textiles, apparel, and leather manufacturing
Wholesale and retail trade

Fixative
Glutaraldehyde is used in biochemistry applications as an amine-reactive homobifunctional crosslinker and fixative prior to SDS-PAGE, staining, or electron microscopy. It kills cells quickly by crosslinking their proteins. It is usually employed alone or mixed with formaldehyde[13] as the first of two fixative processes to stabilize specimens such as bacteria, plant material, and human cells. A second fixative procedure uses osmium tetroxide to crosslink and stabilize cell and organelle membrane lipids. Fixation is usually followed by dehydration of the tissue in ethanol or acetone, followed by embedding in an epoxy resin or acrylic resin.[citation needed]
Another application for treatment of proteins with glutaraldehyde is the inactivation of bacterial toxins to generate toxoid vaccines, e.g., the pertussis (whooping cough) toxoid component in the Boostrix Tdap vaccine produced by GlaxoSmithKline.[14]
In a related application, glutaraldehyde is sometimes employed in the tanning of leather and in embalming.[citation needed]
Wart treatment
As a medication it is used to treat plantar warts.[4] For this purpose, a 10% w/v solution is used. It dries the skin, facilitating physical removal of the wart.[15] Trade names include Diswart Solution and Glutarol.[citation needed]
Safety
Side effects include skin irritation.[4] If exposed to large amounts, nausea, headache, and shortness of breath may occur.[3] Protective equipment is recommended when used, especially in high concentrations.[3] Glutaraldehyde is effective against a range of microorganisms including spores.[3][7]
Glutaraldehyde is a colorless, oily liquid with a sharp, pungent odor. Glutaraldehyde is used for industrial, laboratory, agricultural, medical, and some household purposes, primarily for disinfecting and sterilization of surfaces and equipment. For example, it is used in oil and gas recovery operations and pipelines, waste water treatment, x-ray processing, embalming fluid, leather tanning, paper industry, in fogging and cleaning of poultry houses, and as a chemical intermediate in the production of various materials. It may be used in select goods, such as paint and laundry detergent.
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment. INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing. INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)
Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Glutaraldehyde itself does not burn ... Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alchohol foam extinguishers. Vapors are heavier than air and will collect in low areas. Vapors may travel long distances to ignition sources and flashback. Vapors in confined areas may explode when exposed to fire. Containers may explode in fire. Storage containers and parts of containers may rocket great distances, in many directions. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Notify local health and fire officials and pollution control agencies. From a secure, explosion-proof location, use water spray to cool exposed containers. If cooling streams are ineffective (venting sound increases in volume and pitch, tank discolors or shows any signs of deforming), withdraw immediately to a secure position ... The only respirators recommended for fire fighting are self-contained breathing apparatuses that have full facepieces and are operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
Glutaraldehyde's production and use as a disinfectant, as a cross-linking agent, as a tanning agent for leather and use in the paper and textile industries to improve wet strength and dimensional stability of fibers may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Its use as a biocide in water treatment, hydraulic fracturing fluids and oil-field applications and as a preservative in cosmetics and personal-care products will result in its direct release to the environment. Glutaraldehyde has been detected in gasoline and diesel engine emissions. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 0.6 mm Hg at 30 °C indicates glutaraldehyde will exist solely as a vapor in the atmosphere. Vapor-phase glutaraldehyde will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 16 hours. Glutaraldehyde may be susceptible to direct photolysis in the atmosphere based upon aqueous photolysis studies. If released to soil, glutaraldehyde is expected to have very high to moderate mobility based upon measured Koc values ranging from 5.1 to 500. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon a Henry's Law constant of 3.3X10-8 atm-cu m/mole. Glutaraldehyde is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon its vapor pressure and it has been reported that small amounts of glutaraldehyde will volatilize to the atmosphere. Results of biodegradation screening tests indicate that glutaraldehyde is readily biodegradable. A soil degradation study using a loamy sand soil observed a pseudo-first order dissipation half-life of 1.7 days due primarily to soil microorganisms. If released into water, glutaraldehyde is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the Koc. In a closed bottle test using seawater as inoculum, glutaraldehyde showed 73% degradation in 28 days indicating that biodegradation is expected to be an important fate process in water. Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's Henry's Law constant. An estimated BCF of 3 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. At 25 °C, glutaraldehyde has measured hydrolysis half-lives of 508-628, 102-394 and 46-63.8 days at pH 5, pH 7 and pH 9 respectively. The measured half-life for the photolysis of aqueous solutions of glutaraldehyde exposed to natural sunlight was 196 days. Occupational exposure to glutaraldehyde may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where glutaraldehyde is produced or used. Use and limited monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to glutaraldehyde via inhalation of ambient air and dermal contact with consumer products containing glutaraldehyde. (SRC)
As a strong sterilant, glutaraldehyde is toxic and a strong irritant.[16] There is no strong evidence of carcinogenic activity.[17] Some occupations that work with this chemical have an increased risk of some cancers.[17]
Mechanism of action
A number of mechanisms have been invoked to explain the biocidal properties of glutaraldehyde.[7] Like many other aldehydes, it reacts with amines and thiol groups, which are common functional groups in proteins. Being bi-function, it is also a potential crosslinker.[18]
Glutardialdehyde is produced by gas-phase oxidation of cyclopentene or by Diels-Alder reaction of acrolein with methyl vinyl ether. The latter yields 3,4-dihydro-2-methoxy-2H-pyran, acidic hydrolysis of which leads to glutardialdehyde. ... In both cases the dialdehyde is recovered from the reaction mixture by multistage extraction with water.
The National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (NPIRS) identifies 24 companies with active labels for products containing the chemical glutaraldehyde. To view the complete list of companies, product names and percent glutaraldehyde in formulated products click the following url and enter the CAS Registry number in the Active Ingredient field.
Production and reactions
Synthesis of glutaraldehyde via the Diels-Alder reaction.
Glutaraldehyde is produced industrially by the oxidation of cyclopentene. Alternatively it can be made by the Diels-Alder reaction of acrolein and vinyl ethers followed by hydrolysis.[19]
Like many other dialdehydes, (e.g., glyoxal) and simple aldehydes (e.g., formaldehyde), glutaraldehyde converts in aqueous solution to various hydrates that in turn convert to other equilibrating species.[clarification needed][20][19]
Monomeric glutaraldehyde polymerizes by aldol condensation reaction yielding alpha, beta-unsaturated poly-glutaraldehyde. This reaction usually occurs at alkaline pH values.[medical citation needed]
History and culture
Glutaraldehyde came into medical use in the 1960s.[9] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system.[10] There are a number of other commercial uses such as leather tanning.[11]
A glutaraldehyde solution of 0.1% to 1.0% concentration may be used as a biocide for system disinfection and as a preservative for long-term storage. It is a sterilant, killing endospores in addition to many microorganisms and viruses.[21]
As a biocide, glutaraldehyde is a component of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") fluid. It is included in the additive called Alpha 1427.[22] Bacterial growth impairs extraction of oil and gas from these wells. Glutaraldehyde is pumped as a component of the fracturing fluid to inhibit microbial growth.[medical citation needed]
Safety
Side effects include skin irritation.[4] If exposed to large amounts, nausea, headache, and shortness of breath may occur.[3] Protective equipment is recommended when used, especially in high concentrations.[3] Glutaraldehyde is effective against a range of microorganisms including spores.[3][7]
As a strong sterilant, glutaraldehyde is toxic and a strong irritant.[16] There is no strong evidence of carcinogenic activity.[17] Some occupations that work with this chemical have an increased risk of some cancers.[17]