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Product Name: Glutaraldehyde
Chemical Formula: C5H8O2
Synonyms: Glutardialdehyde, Pentanedial
CAS Number: 111-30-8
Recommended Use: Disinfectant, sterilant, fixative in laboratories and healthcare settings
Manufacturer Information: Supplier contact details displayed on product packaging and vendor Safety Data Sheets
Emergency Contact: Refer to local poison control center or manufacturer’s emergency line for immediate support
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Inhalation, Oral, Dermal), Skin Corrosion/Irritation, Serious Eye Damage, Sensitization
Hazard Statements: Harmful if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. Causes severe burns to skin and eyes. Can trigger allergic reactions and asthma-like symptoms.
Pictograms: Corrosive, health hazard, exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapor or mist. Always use with adequate ventilation. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection.
Potential Acute Effects: Exposure results in irritation to mucous membranes, eyes, throat, lungs, and digestive tract. Splashing may give painful redness or burns.
Long-Term Risks: Sensitization leads to allergic breathing troubles or dermatitis upon repeated contact. Ongoing exposure raises the risk of chronic respiratory illnesses.
Chemical Identity: Glutaraldehyde
Concentration: 25% - 50% in commercial solutions
Other Ingredients: Water (solvent for commercial preparations), possible stabilizers to slow polymerization
Impurities and Stabilizers: Usually provides low-level sodium bicarbonate or similar buffering agents to control pH
Toxic Components: High levels of glutaraldehyde directly responsible for primary health hazards
Eye Contact: Flush with running water for at least 20 minutes, lifting eyelids. Remove contacts if possible. Get medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash affected skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical assistance for burns, blisters, or persistent irritation.
Inhalation: Move individual to fresh air without delay. Seek medical help if breathing becomes difficult. Administer artificial respiration if not breathing.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious individual. Get urgent medical advice. Do not induce vomiting.
Delayed Effects: Immediate symptoms do not indicate a lack of risk; monitor closely for breathing or allergic reactions.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid using direct water jets that may spread chemical spill
Hazardous Combustion Products: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating smoke and vapors
Protection for Firefighters: Use self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear. Approach fire from upwind to reduce inhalation risk.
Special Risks: Contained vessels risk rupture under fire conditions from heat expansion. Remove containers from fire area if safe.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area. Don protective gloves, splash-proof goggles, chemical-resistant clothing, and suitable respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Block entry to drains, soil, or water systems. Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe.
Methods for Cleanup: Absorb liquid in inert material such as vermiculite or sand, place in waste containers for chemical disposal. Decontaminate area with dilute ammonia or sodium bisulfite solution.
Notification: Report large spills to authorities as per local regulations.
Sensitivity: Avoid use of bleach during cleanup due to risk of toxic gas production.
Handling: Use in chemical fume hoods or well-ventilated areas. Prevent skin and eye contact. Avoid splashing or aerosolizing the product during transfers.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Store away from acids, alkalis, and strong oxidizers. Separate from food, feed, and potable water.
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, strong bases, and oxidizing agents trigger violent reactions or degrade stability.
Storage Containers: Corrosion-resistant, clearly labeled containers with compatible materials such as polyethylene or glass.
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 0.2 ppm (ceiling, USA). ACGIH TLV: 0.05 ppm (ceiling).
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation; chemical fume hoods advised.
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirators when airborne concentrations exceed ceiling limits or ventilation is poor.
Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene, butyl rubber), long-sleeved lab coats or coveralls.
Eye/Face Protection: Chemical safety goggles and face shields for splash potential.
Personal Hygiene: Remove contaminated clothing promptly and wash exposed skin before contact with others or shared surfaces.
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid with pungent, sharp odor
Odor Threshold: Detectable at low levels due to strong, irritating smell
pH: 3.1 – 4.5 (25% aqueous solution)
Melting Point: -14°C (6.8°F) approximate
Boiling Point: 101°C (214°F) at atmospheric pressure
Flash Point: 85°C (185°F) closed cup estimate
Solubility: Miscible with water; also mixes with lower alcohols
Vapor Pressure: 0.6 mm Hg at 20°C (68°F)
Density: Approx. 1.06 g/cm³
Stability: Polymerizes slowly over time, especially under alkaline conditions or on light exposure
Other Properties: Releases formaldehyde when heated or degraded; persistent odor.
Chemical Stability: Stable under specified storage conditions, but gradually polymerizes on standing, especially in alkaline or warm environments.
Hazardous Reactions: Risks increase with contact with strong oxidizers, acids, bases; generates heat; may emit toxic vapors.
Decomposition Products: Emission of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and acidic gases possible with fire or prolonged storage.
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, direct sunlight, contaminated or alkaline environments speed up breakdown.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Acute Effects: Causes severe irritation to mucous membranes, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. Exposure may cause bronchospasms, burning pain, chemical burns, vision distortion.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated contact increases risk for skin sensitization, allergic contact dermatitis, respiratory issues, potential asthma induction.
LD50 (Oral, Rat): 134 mg/kg
Mutagenicity: Some evidence of mutagenic risk but not conclusively determined in humans
Carcinogenicity: Not classified specifically as carcinogen by major agencies, but formaldehyde formation raises possible risks.
Environmental Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life (LC50 [fish] 40 mg/L, 96 hrs). Causes damage to microorganisms in soil and water due to strong biocidal effect.
Persistence: Does not bioaccumulate, but persists to some extent in natural water sources due to slow biodegradation.
Aquatic Mobility: Travels easily with water runoff given high solubility.
Birds and Mammals: Evidence indicates moderate toxicity to birds and mammals at environmental concentrations.
Degradation: Breaks down gradually, becoming less toxic, yet residual impacts linger in aquatic or wastewater discharge for several days.
Waste Disposal: Handle as hazardous chemical waste. Collect spilled solutions and contaminated absorbent material in clearly labeled waste containers. Neutralize small quantities with sodium bisulfite if permitted.
Disposal Methods: Transport for incineration or chemical treatment at federally approved hazardous material sites. Dilution or direct drain disposal forbidden except following local treatment rules.
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse with appropriate neutralizer before discarding containers. Label as hazardous if residue remains.
Regulatory Compliance: Follow federal, state, and local disposal regulations. Consult EPA and local guidelines before disposal.
UN Number: UN 2922
Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive liquids, toxic, n.o.s. (contains glutaraldehyde)
Hazard Class: 8 (corrosive substances), 6.1 (toxic substances)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Corrosive; Toxic; Environmental Hazard
Special Transport Conditions: Protect packaging against tipping or leaks. Transport in tightly closed containers with secondary containment.
Regulatory Body Oversight: ADR, IMDG, IATA, DOT regulations apply during land, sea, and air shipments respectively.
US Regulations: Listed on TSCA Inventory. OSHA considers airborne glutaraldehyde hazardous. SARA Title III reporting thresholds apply.
EU Regulations: Registered under REACH; subject to restrictions due to toxicity and sensitization risks.
Labeling Requirements: Requires pictograms and signal words per GHS standards in all regulated countries. Packages must display hazard, precaution, and manufacturer identification.
Workplace Requirements: Mandate employee training, written hazard communication programs, exposure monitoring.
Other Country Standards: Comparable rules in Canada (WHMIS), Australia (SDS requirements), Japan, and China. Local agencies may impose stricter controls based on environment or industrial use.
