UNISON, the UK’s largest health union, today
welcomed the withdrawal of the
disinfecting agent Cidex from hospitals, hailing the
move as very good news
for nurses’ health and the NHS.
Jon Richards, UNISON’s national health and safety
officer for health staff,said:
“Too many nurses have been lost to the NHS and many
valuable years of experience wasted, because of
exposure to glutaraldehyde. There is no ‘safe’
level of exposure and no place for it in hospitals today.
It is well knownthat it can irritate the skin, eyes, throat
and lungs. I am delighted to hear that it will be
withdrawn from hospitals.
“Over the years UNISON has campaigned long and
hard to get the substance banned. We have taken
many claims for compensation for nurses who have
hadtheir careers needlessly cut short and their
livesblighted by asthma and other health problems,
through working with glutaraldehyde in operating
theatres.”