Glutaraldehyde (CAS 111-30-8): storage and disposal
Glutaraldehyde is a pungent aldehyde sold as 2%, 25% or 50% solutions. Clinics and dental practices may still hold it as a high level disinfectant, and histology, pathology and university electron microscopy labs use it as a fixative. It is a sensitiser that can cause occupational asthma. Strength, and whether the solution has been activated with its alkaline additive, decide how it is handled. Weak solutions may be less hazardous, but none should be assumed safe.
- CAS number
- 111-30-8
- Form
- Solution
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Acute toxicity
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as toxic stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Read the strength and any activation date on the label first, as the 2% disinfectant in a clinic cupboard and the 50% stock in a microscopy lab are held for quite different reasons, yet the two names look alike. Activated alkaline solutions have a short life, so an old activated bottle kept "just in case" is the usual error here. Keep it in a locked cabinet with a stock record, away from oxidisers and acids, and do not let it sit on an open bench, because vapour alone can sensitise airways. Staff who have become sensitised should not be asked to go through the old stock. Clinics that have moved to other disinfectants often still have a forgotten carton at the back of a store.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Fresh stock is clear and colourless to very pale, with a sharp and unmistakable smell. Yellowing and polymer deposit show age, with the colour deepening and a sediment or haze forming as time passes. Activated alkaline solutions usually turn colour when activated, depending on the additive, so a coloured bottle is not a warning by itself, and its date matters more. A sharp smell in a cupboard points to a poor seal, and nobody should sniff to check. Also look for crusts at the neck and labels that no longer give the strength. Do not try to restore old stock or judge whether it still works, and list anything aged or uncertain as such when asking for a collection.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Record the strength, the container type, the volume and whether the solution has been activated, then give the date if there is one. Those details decide how it is described and grouped. A clinic or dental surgery setting usually takes code 18 01 06*, so state the setting. It must never go into a sink or drain, however much a used disinfectant bath may look like dirty water, as it is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. It must never go into general waste bins or skips, and nobody should try to neutralise or treat it first. Specialist collection is the only route. Anyone known to be sensitised should be kept away from the job of gathering it for collection.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Human healthcare setting | 18 01 06* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Hydrochloric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Hydrogen peroxideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: 2%, 25%, 50%.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H301 Toxic if swallowed.
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H330 Fatal if inhaled.
- H334 May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life.
- H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P233 Keep container tightly closed.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P342+P316 If experiencing respiratory symptoms: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- P403 Store in a well-ventilated place.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
We no longer disinfect with glutaraldehyde but have old cartons. What should we do?
Arrange a specialist collection, listing each strength and carton count. Unopened cartons still need accurate description. Staff who have had breathing symptoms should not be the ones to sort them out. Do not pour the contents away or use them up simply to clear the shelf.
How long can we keep an activated alkaline glutaraldehyde solution?
Activated solutions have a short life, so follow the date written at activation and the supplier instructions. After that it is waste, even if it looks unchanged. Keep it closed and labelled as activated, then list it separately from unactivated stock when arranging a collection.
Our 25% glutaraldehyde has yellowed. Is it still suitable for fixing?
Yellowing and polymer deposit show age, so it should not be relied on for work where fixation quality matters. Take it out of use and label it clearly. List it as aged stock with its strength when asking for a collection, so it is described accurately.