Author(s)

G.B. Leslie

Abstract

Glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde are found in the hospital environment at higher concentrations than those to which the general population is exposed. Their possible adverse health effects are therefore very important to those working in certain parts of hospitals and to patients in the hospitals whose health status may be compromised. Both compounds are irritant and can cause sensitisation. There are virtually no published data on animal toxicological studies on glutaraldehyde but for formaldehyde there are a number of animal studies which indicate that exposure to high concentrations of the vapour causes cytotoxic changes in the nasal mucosa which can lead to carcinoma. There is, however, no convincing reason to consider formaldehyde a human carcinogen since prolonged exposure to concentrations causing cytolethality d

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