Environmental Chamber Studies of Eye and Respiratory Irritation from Use of a Peracetic Acid-Based Hospital Surface Disinfectant
Monday, December 16, 2024
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM (US EST, UTC -5)
Hosted by: The SOT Occupational and Public Health Specialty Section
Registration required for this free webinar.
This study investigated personal exposure and irritation effects during simulated upper-bound use of peracetic acid (PAA)-based surface disinfectants in controlled environmental chamber settings. A double-blinded, within-subject crossover design was employed with 44 healthy adult volunteers, including 8 multiday and 36 single-day participants, performing terminal cleaning tasks using wetted cloths. Breathing-zone concentrations of PAA, acetic acid (AA), and hydrogen peroxide (HP) were measured, along with objective markers of tissue injury, inflammation, and subjective irritation scores. Results indicated 95th percentile breathing-zone concentrations of 101 ppb PAA, 500 ppb AA, and 667 ppb HP. No significant increases in IgE, tissue injury, or inflammation were observed across 75 test days. Subjective irritation ratings were higher for odor intensity and nose irritation but lower for eye and throat irritation, with females reporting moderate irritation more frequently. These findings suggest that upper-bound hospital use of PAA-based disinfectants does not significantly impact eye or respiratory health.
Speaker:
- Pamela Dalton, PhD, MPH, Monell Center
Registration required for this free webinar.