Glutaraldehyde

Glutaraldehyde is always toxic, causing severe eye, nose, throat and lung irritations, along with headaches, drowsiness, and dizziness. The effects mirror the chemical warfare agent known as nerve gas. It is poisonous if ingested, and it is known to cause birth defects in experimental animals. The effects of direct injection into the blood to bypass the process of digestion are unknown. It is often used to clean medical equipment. In hospital accidents involving environmental exposure, it has been known to cause the following symptoms:

• Throat and lung irritation

• Breathing difficulty

• Nose irritation, sneezing, and wheezing

• Nosebleeds

• Burning eyes and conjunctivitis

• Rash-contact and/or allergic dermatitis

• Discoloring skin (brownish or tan)

• Hives

• Headaches

• Nausea