Asthma and Rhinitis after Exposure to Glutaraldehyde in Endoscopy Units

Abstract

1 Four nurses working in endoscopy units complained of respiratory symptoms on exposure to alkaline glutaraldehyde used as a disinfectant for fibre-optic endoscopes. 2 A provocation test was positive in two of these patients. 3 This is the first report to use provocation testing to confirm a relation between exposure to alkaline glutaraldehyde and respiratory disease.