الفهرس 
Health Risks Of GlutaraldehydeOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Glutaraldehyde (GA) is a broad spectrum biocidal agent for high level disinfection for heat sensitive equipment. It is widely used in hospitals especially in endoscopy units. This study aimed to identify health risks of GA and to determine the effect of work place safety measures and work practices on occurrence and severity of health risks among health care workers at Ain Shams University Hospitals.
Methods: The current study was a cross sectional study. An interview questionnaire were administered to 160 HCWs divided into two groups (exposed HCWs n=80 and unexposed n=80). Clinical examination and investigation by spirometry were done for both groups. Moreover observational checklist for work place safety measures of the work place where GA solution has been used and another observational checklist for work practices of the exposed HCWs were done.
Results: Exposed HCWs to GA had a significant higher prevalence of nasal, lower respiratory tract, ocular, skin, headache and other symptoms than unexposed group, they also had higher impairment of PFTs (spirometry measurements) than unexposed group whether before or after exposure. There were significant inversely correlation between (years spent in current occupation) and PFTs. Work place safety measures in exposed areas as (effective general ventilation system with ACH> 15, automatic washer, specific area for GA disinfection had a significant difference in reduction of some health risks of GA. unsafe work practices lead to more health risks of GA with significant relation to some of it.
Conclusions This study documented a significant symptoms and impairment of PFTs among exposed HCWs. Effective ventilation with ACH> 15 cycle per hour and specific area for GA disinfection couldn’t be dispensed in prevention and control of GA exposure. Further study are needed for occupational asthma among exposed HCWs