Formaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde Analysis

Aldehydes are a class of chemical disinfectants with a proven history of use in the control of pathogens in animal production. Formaldehyde is the simplest, lowest molecular weight aldehyde and has been used all over the world since it was first discovered. Formaldehyde has a wide range of uses as a chemical reactant for the manufacture of a variety of non-animal health products, including various polymers, resins, insulation, adhesives and textiles. In poultry facilities, it is primarily used as a fungicide and bactericide.

However, recently formaldehyde has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. At the same time, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified formaldehyde as a possible human carcinogen. Therefore, the use of formaldehyde always requires personal protective equipment, especially in the case of inhalation exposure. Whereas, glutaraldehyde, unlike formaldehyde, is not classified as a human carcinogen.

Glutaraldehyde is a liquid and is given as a disinfectant in aqueous solution, while formaldehyde is a gas-phase disinfectant. As with most disinfectants, appropriate personal protective equipment should be used in the use of glutaraldehyde to limit skin and respiratory exposure.

The key difference between formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde is that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a regulatory standard with very specific requirements for formaldehyde.

There are important differences between glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde. First of all, the most notable difference between them is that formaldehyde is a suspected human carcinogen and causes irreversible eye damage.

The main short-term effects of glutaraldehyde are severe eye irritation in liquid and vapor form, stinging the skin in high concentrations, and irritating the nose, throat and respiratory tract if inhaled. Formaldehyde, on the other hand, irritates the eyes and causes irreversible damage in the case of liquid and vapor, and if inhaled, it causes cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and irritation of the respiratory tract.

Main long-term effects of glutaraldehyde are causing skin allergiesis. On the other hand, formaldehyde causes hypersensitivity leading to contact dermatitis, causes visual impairment and liver enlargement, and is a suspected carcinogen.

Our organization also provides formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde analysis services with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.