Glutaraldehyde: Overview
Description
The largest single use of glutaraldehyde is as an antimicrobial, bactericide, fungicide and a virucide. It is used to sterilize hospital and veterinary equipment, and to disinfect surfaces in hospitals, veterinary hospitals, nursing homes, and food processing plants. It is used to prevent bacterial growth in water supplies for washing air, cooler systems, logging ponds, and pulp and paper water systems. Smaller uses are as an embalming fluid, as a fixative for tissues, for film processing and leather tanning.
Substance details
Substance name: Glutaraldehyde
CASR number: 111-30-8
Molecular formula: C7H8 O2
Synonyms: Pentanedial; glutaric dialdehyde; 1,3-diformylpropane; 1,5-pentanedial; glutaric aldehyde; glutaric acid dialdehyde; dioxopentane; glutardialdehyde; gluteraldehyde; 1,5-pentanedione; potentiated acid glutaraldehyde
Physical properties
Glutaraldehyde is a colourless liquid, with a strong odour.
Melting Point: -6°C
Boiling Point: 188°C
Specific Gravity: 1.06
Vapour Density: 3.4
Chemical properties
Glutaraldehyde is soluble in water and in organic solvents. Solutions in water are stable for long periods of time.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of glutaraldehyde emissions in Australia.
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