EVALUATION OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO GLUTARALDEHYDE AMONG ENDOSCOPY NURSING STAFF IN MENOUFIYA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Document Type : Study paper

Authors

1 Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine,Menoufiya University

2 Biochemistry Department,Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University

Abstract

Background: Glutaraldehyde is the best disinfectant for fibreoptic endoscopes. A number of studies has reported that glutaraldehyde is an irritating substance affecting ocular and nasal mucosae and may give rise to sensitization. Cases of allergic dermatitis, rhinitis, epistaxis, asthma, lacrimation and headache were also reported among
exposed workers. Aim of the work: This study aimed at finding the nature and prevalence of workrelated
symptoms (WRSs) among nurses working in endoscopy units and assessment of the concentration of glutaraldehyde in the work environment. Subjects and Methods: Thirty non-pregnant non-smokers nurses occupationally exposed to glutaraldehyde (GA) in various endoscopy units in Menoufiya University hospital were chosen as subjects of this study. An equal number of nurses never occupationally exposed to GA were chosen as a non-exposed group. The Medical Research
Council Respiratory Questionnaire was used to record work-related symptoms,spirometric measurements and laboratory measurement of total immunoglobulin

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine
Volume 31, Issue 1
January 2007
Pages 75-85

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