Question: I had my ducts cleaned and treated. Is that possibly the source of my burning eyes? The duct cleaning man said that it shouldn’t be. I had sinus surgery last July (2006) and have just gotten another infection.
Glutaraldehyde is a liquid with a relatively pungent odor. Though it is not highly soluble (0.2 mg Hg vapor pressure), it can release sufficient vapor levels to pose a serious health risk to those who use it in sterilizing medical (endoscopes) and dental equipment. It is also used as a preservative in embalming fluid and a fixative for biological specimen microscopy.
It can cause severe irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system at exposure levels that occur in occupational environments. It has been shown to cause work-related asthma. It is a far more irritating substance than formaldehyde, causing adverse effects in humans at lower exposure levels than formaldehyde.
Glutaraldehyde has a variety of synonyms (i.e., glutaral, pentanedial) and can be found in a number of commercial disinfectant/biocidal products (i.e., Cidex, Aldesan, Ucarcide, Relugan GT, Sporocidin).
Sporocidin is a commercial disinfect product that is advertised as being registered with the US EPA specifically for duct cleaning applications, mold remediation, and carpet decontamination. Its producer also claims that its biocidal properties remain effective for up to 6 months. That means that once applied it remains present in the environment for a relatively long periods of time.
The Sporicidin company advertises that the US EPA has registered it for use in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. This appears to be at some variance with a draft Pesticide Registration Notice entitled “Use of Antimicrobial Pesticide Products in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems" issued by the US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs that would provide guidance to registrants concerning EPA-registered sanitizers, disinfectant and other antimicrobial products whose labels bear general directions for use on or incorporation in hard, nonporous or porous surfaces but which are not specifically approved for HVAC and R systems. US EPA is concerned that data demonstrating biocidal efficiency in air ducts have not been submitted for review and that the use of such products pose potential human exposure and health risks to applicators and building occupants which have not been assessed.
Given my knowledge of aldehyde compounds including glutaraldehyde, the use of biocidal compounds as an after treatment in duct cleaning is very unwise. Glutaraldehyde is very toxic to humans at very low exposure concentrations and there is some likelihood that the burning eye and respiratory symptoms that you have experienced are in fact due to the use of glutaraldehyde as a biocidal treatment in your home’s duct system.
(Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of The Healthy House Institute, LLC.)
