Xylol and Glutaraldehyde Replacement at a University Hospital and a Laboratory of Human Anatomy

The main objective of the present work was to evaluate the degradation levels of the glutaraldehyde and xylol, after use at the General Hospital (GH) of the University of Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The degradation levels were evaluated by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC/FID). Sixteen samples were collected over an experimental period of 8 months. The degradations of glutaraldehyde and xylol were 9.19 and 1.52, respectively. Besides suggestions to improve management, the present study also suggests possible replacers for the target compounds.