Glutaraldehyde: Environmental effects
Description
Glutaraldehyde is moderately toxic to aquatic animals and moderately to highly toxic to algae. Due to its short life in the environment, glutaraldehyde has minimal impact on the environment.
Entering the environment
Industrial emissions of glutaraldehyde can produce elevated, concentrations in the atmosphere around the source. Because of its short life expectancy in the atmosphere glutaraldehyde is expected to be confined to the local area within which it is emitted. Glutaraldehyde that makes its way into the ground or water is degraded with in days. Most glutaraldehyde that is released to the water goes into a public sewage facility. At the public sewage facilities it is very diluted, and the microorganisms are able to digest it, with out any impact.
Where it ends up
Much of glutaraldehyde releases are to water. In the water it fully dissolves and disperses. In the water it is broken down by bacteria (unless very high concentrations) within a few days. When glutaraldehyde is released to the air it is quickly reacted by photochemical processes to be broken down within hours. Since it is very water soluble, any unreacted material will be removed from the atmosphere by rain and fog.
Environmental guidelines
No national guidelines.
Key
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