Allergic contact dermatitis from glutaraldehyde exposure.

A hospital maintenance employee developed an airborne contact dermatitis when cleaning respiratory therapy equipment. Patch-testing determined that she is allergic to glutaraldehyde, an ingredient in a popular commercial germicidal product. The increasing concern over acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other infectious diseases has resulted in more intensive cleaning, sterilizing, and disposal procedures in health care facilities. This, in turn, may lead to an increased risk of contact dermatitis among health care workers. Glutaraldehyde is commonly used as a sterilizing agent in medical facilities. It is effective against most micro-organisms, including viruses, and is generally harmless to medical equipment. This report concerns a case of airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by glutaraldehyde.