Labour Research November 2003

Health & Safety Matters

Risks for funeral workers - correction

Glutaraldehyde is not a carcinogen, according to a review of scientific literature. Mary Chervenak from the Dow chemical company says: "Although many studies discussing the irritancy and skin sensitization of glutaraldehyde exist, no data has been published that supports the carcinogenic potential of glutaraldehyde in humans." An article in July's Labour Research wrongly implied that glutaraldehyde was a carcinogen and causes brain damage. In fact the source used in the article was referring to formaldehyde.

Mary Chervenak, "The Toxicology of Glutaraldehyde: Glutaraldehyde and Cancer", Managing Infection and Control, June 2003.