Will surfactants hurt my endoscope?

It has been known for some time that the efficacy of glutaraldehyde based germicides is greatly enhanced by the addition of surfactants. By lowering surface tension, surfactants allow for better contact between the microbe and the germicide which decreases the required immersion time and increases the reuse life of the solution. Products using surfactant and glutaraldehyde first appeared on the market in the mid 1970's. Initially there were two types of problems when these products were used on endoscopes. Specifically the surfactant initially caused problems with the electrical contacts and with clouding of the lenses. Manufacturers of endoscopes promptly reengineered their products to eliminate both problems. The electrical problem was caused by build up of surfactant and was solved by better rinsing of the instrument.

The lens problem was caused because the lower surface tension permitted the germicide to penetrate between the elements of the lens. Changing the cement used to hold the elements together solved this problem.
No area of interest is without its urban legends and the the medical world has its share. Like all urban legends there is a kernel of truth to the myth that surfactants damage endoscopes. When these products were first introduced there were some problems but they were corrected and the use of surfactant containing disinfectants has not been a problem for over twenty years. However, some manufacturers of germicides have had a vested interest in perpetuating the myth in order to continue selling non-surfactant products. Others pass it on because they heard it from a friend of a friend.