Widely used as a disinfectant and sterilant, glutaraldehyde solution is essential in healthcare settings for cold sterilization of medical equipment such as endoscopes, dialysis machines, and surgical instruments that cannot withstand heat. It effectively kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, making it ideal for high-level disinfection.

In addition to medical applications, it is used in water treatment systems to control microbial growth, particularly in oilfield fluids and industrial cooling systems. It also serves as a preservative in some cosmetics and as a fixative in electron microscopy, helping preserve cellular structures during sample preparation.

In tanning industries, glutaraldehyde is employed as a crosslinking agent for collagen in hides, producing wet-white leather. It is also used in biochemistry for enzyme immobilization and in tissue fixation for histology and pathology labs due to its strong cross-linking properties.

However, caution is advised when handling glutaraldehyde, as it may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.