WASTE is a national support group comprising well over 100 individuals within the medical community who have been injured by the toxic chemical called Glutaraldehyde.  

MISSION STATEMENT: Maintain current information through our newsletter and  website, share health concerns with other interested parties and provide emotional support.

LOGO: Our logo portrays the chemically injured body in constant turmoil. This  image of the spiral has been in use in the art of civilization for thousand of years. It archetypacly refers to an inner or outward journey. Many of us feel that once injured it is quite a journey. 

Allow the logo to represent what your beliefs are, whether it be a religious  orientation or another. It can be seen as a symbol of the Trinity, of Faith, Hope and Charity,or unity..

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: Glutaraldehyde, a five carbon dialdehyde, is a highly reactive compound that has been isolated as an oil and is usually stored as an aqueous solution. On storage, it forms mixtures containing hydrates, pyrans, and polymers. (3)

SYNONYMS:  glutaric dialdehyde; pentanedial; 1,3-diformylpropane;  1,5-Pentanedial; Glutaric Aldehyde; Glutaric Acid Dialdehyde; Alhydex; Cidex; Dioxopentane; Glutaral; Glutardialdehyde; Glutarol; Sporicidin; Ucarcide; Veruca-sep; Gluteraldehyde; 1,5-pentanedione; potentiated acid  glutaraldehyde; sonacide; Pentane-1,5-dial; Aldesan; Coldcide-25 microbiocide; Glutaralum; Hospex;  GLUTARALDEHYDE SOLUTION, 25% (2)

USES: Glutaraldehyde is a widely used disinfectant used both as an active ingredient and an inert ingredient (4). Applications include personal care products along with the medical use.  The NIOSH investigations revealed that glutaraldehyde has a variety of uses in hospitals including  sterilization of: sigmoidoscopes and respiratory therapy equipment (87-176); pulmonary diagnostic equipment, physical therapy  equipment (whirlpools), and surgical instruments (86-226); disinfection of X-ray tables, bronchoscopes, and surgical instruments (85-257); general use as a cold sterilant (97-0062); and endoscopes and bronchoscopes (90-296). It was also reported that glutaraldehyde had general use throughout hospitals, dental  laboratories, and in other health care facilities as a general sterilant, and a tissue fixative (87-176). (1) 

CHEMICAL INJURY: Glutaraldehyde may be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. WASTE members have reported significant injuries. Some of the symptoms include: reactive airway disease syndrome, asthma, sinusitis, extreme headaches, dry eyes, macular degeneration, dry nose, sores in anterior nostrils, choking, inflamed larynx, insomnia, chronic fatigue, heart problems, hypertension, dermatitis, joint and muscle problems, immune damage, intestinal irritation, malabsorption, and loss of vital nutrients just to name a few. Many of us have gone on to become very sensitive to many other chemicals creating a feeling that one's body is reacting to everything such as: medication, cleaning products, petroleum products, fumes, paints, make-up, perfume, shampoos, soaps, fabric softener and many more.

NIOSH has summarized their evaluation of the health hazards of Glutaraldehyde: 

1) Symptoms of exposure appear to be associated with exposures at concentrations below the NIOSH REL and ACGIH TLV of 0.2 ppm C.

2). Exposures can be dramatically reduced and symptoms virtually eliminated  through the use of local exhaustventilation.

3). Latex surgical gloves and surgical respirators do not provide protection from either dermal contact or inhalation exposure and should not be used.

PRESENTATIONS / REPRESENTATIONS : Since our injury we have been in contact with various government agencies. The following is one such presentation given to the NIH on October 30, 1998.

We are pleased to be here today in the company of such learned scholars. We represent the group called WASTE, Medical Workers Against Senseless Toxic Exposure. We are here to seek answers and solutions to the effects that Glutaraldehyde has had on the lives of the injured workers.

We would like you to hear the other side of the story of how innocent people unknowingly have been exposed to this dangerous toxic chemical without adequate safety warnings and protection. We now suffer from many symptoms: reactive airway disease syndrome, asthma, sinusitis, extreme headaches, dry eyes, macular degeneration, dry nose, sores in anterior nostrils, choking, inflamed larynx, insomnia, chronic fatigue, heart problems, hypertension, dermatitis, joint and muscle problems, immune damage, intestinal irritation, malabsorption, and loss of vital nutrients just to name a few. Many of us have gone on to become very sensitive to many other chemicals creating a feeling that one’s body is reacting to everything such as: medication, cleaning products, petroleum products, fumes, paints, make-up, perfume, shampoos, soaps, fabric softener and many more. Legally, we have also been kept out of Federal Court by the FIFRA law. We have been unable to win workman's compensation claims because of misinformation by our employers. We have also been denied social security benefits. Many have been fired from their jobs because of this illness. This in turn leaves individuals without vital health insurance necessary to receive medical care. It is impossible for a normal person to comprehend the depths of despair we have been thrust into: fear of losing homes, fear of losing spouses and family, financial loss which is vital for living expenses, bills, medicine and proper medical care. Along with this comes the increasing accumulation of debt as you continue to survive. Of course the employers who should be held accountable, have gone about business as usual, with nary a concern or care for our suffering. We feel we have lost all our rights as American citizens.

We leave you with several unanswered questions: 

1. Why wasn't adequate testing accomplished before Glutaraldehyde was placed on the market before disrupting many innocent lives?

2. This chemical is registered as a pesticide and in Canada is consider toxic and a poison and yet to our knowledge there is no current recommended medical treatment to reverse Glutaraldehyde poisoning. Are there protocols being developed to address the acute poisoning by this harmful  chemical? 

3. In a 1996 EPA report, they had questioned the status of carcinogenic potential because of a high incidence of Lymphatic leukemia. Are there current studies under way to establish this point?

4. Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde must be collected and properly disposed of as chemical waste. None should be released into the sanitary sewer system through any drain at NIH.  Why are medical facilities allowed to dilute this chemical and freely dump it into our sewage system?

5. With the number of medical facilities in the US doesn't this warrant  controls to prevent damage to our aquatic live? Once a species is lost it is lost forever.

6. If the controls and research are not in place what future do other medical  personnel face? It is almost impossible for the sick to take care of the sick without disastrous results. This has the potential to have devastating effects on the Nursing Profession. Who would want to send a loved  one into a profession to be poisoned? 

7. The NIH Committee is aware that many medical workers, most of whom work  in hospital operating rooms, are experiencing unexplained illness and disability, possibly as a result of  exposure to Glutaraldehyde, a chemical used for x-ray processing and disinfecting of medical equipment. The Committee, therefore, encourages NIEHS to conduct research into the short-term and long-term effects of human  exposure to Glutaraldehyde.  If the NIH recognizes our disability why do we have to fight so hard to get  compensated from our employer for our promised benefits? 

8. This statement is from an MSDS. Personal protective equipment may not prevent health effects in already sensitized staff. Many of our members have been forced to go back to work within close proximity of this chemical. Who can help us insure no one once sensitized will work with any form of a glutaraldehyde product?

9. Why is it not mandatory of all institutions using a glutaraldehyde mix to have enclosed work procedures and processes where glutaraldehyde is used, namely; appropriate work practices, local exhaust, ventilation and personal protective equipment and clothing including eye washes and showers? 

10. And most importantly, what are we doing to our future generations? Most medical workers are young women. Most will get pregnant and work around or with this chemical. We have a duty to protect the innocent. Dr. Lynn Goldman message states, â€� significant changes in labeling are being  proposed to protect all workers, even the most sensitive ones. 

11. How can we make blanket statements about a chemical like Glutaraldehyde when the companies mix the chemical with many other dangerous chemicals and then keeping the inert  ingredients secret? We will only find the answers when the companies divulge the inerts and the mixture is tested as a whole. Could this explain why many of us have high levels methylpentane 2 & 3 and n-hexane in our bodies?  

Bibliography:

1. Summary of NIOSH Glutaraldehyde Health Hazard Evaluations

2. Chemfinder.com Internet Research and finding: http://www.chemfinder.com/cgi-win/cfserver.exe/ 

3. A Critical Reveiw of the Toxicology of Glutaraldehyde. Robert O. Beauchamp,Jr. M.A., Mary Beth G. St. Clair, Ph.D., Timothy R. Fennell, Ph.D., David O. Clarke, Ph.D., and Kevin T. Morgan, Ph.D. NIEHS. Critical Reviews of Tovicology, 22 (3,4) :143-174 (1992).

4. Worst Kept Secrets: Toxic Inert Ingredients in Pesticides. Northwest  Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. January 1998.

We leave you with this final thought. Who is sending people into medical careers? Would fewer people want to be involved in the medical profession if they realized the potential dangers and risks involved with toxic exposure. You decide.

Disclaimer: This information is provided to help explain the possibility of chemical exposure to Glutaraldehyde. It is important to seek both professional and medical advise.

Any questions or comments please contact either