Alternatives to glutaraldehyde for endoscope sterilisation |
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The UK Health and safety executive have comissioned a research report on alternatives to glutaraldehyde, which has been withdrawn from the UK market because of the risks of occupational asthma and dermatitis in endoscopy staff. Glutaraldehyde is however still widely marketed in other parts of the world. Alternatives reviewed are other alkylating agents regarded as a medium risk for sensitisation (Peracetic acid, ortho-phthaldehyde) which require containment, and oxidising agents, which may damage the endoscopes (chlorine based or peroxygen). The report does not review the incidence of occupational asthma due to glutaraldehyde or other possible sources of exposure, many of which are available in the reference section of this website.
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