[Environmental monitoring of occupational exposure to glutaraldehyde at a hospital].

Background: To evaluate the air pollution in operating theatres of a Sicily Hospital produced by 2% alkaline solutions of glutaraldehyde, which is used to disinfect flexible endoscopy units, filling tanks and cleaning surfaces. Personnel reported subjective symptoms as: headache, dizziness, anxiety, drowsiness on the job, loss of attention, irritation of the skin and respiratory tract.

Methods: Environmental valuation of glutaraldehyde was made by infrared photoacustic spectroscopy.