Ethylene chlorohydrin

Ethylene chlorohydrin, aka 2-Chloroethanol, 2-Chloroethyl alcohol, and ethylene chlorhydrin, is a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. The compound has a boiling point at 760 mm Hg of 262 °F (128.6 °C). It is used in the manufacture of dye intermediates, pharmaceuticals, plant-protecting agents, pesticides and plasticizers. Exposure routes include inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin…

Monitoring the Interior of an EtO Cartridge Flammable Storage Cabinet

Within sterile processing departments, the predominant modality for ethylene oxide sterilization is the sealed EtO cartridge approach, as sold by 3M. In its Product Profile on the Steri-Gas™ EO cartridges, 3M puts forth these recommendations: Keep all sources of ignition such as matches, lighted cigarettes, sparks and static discharge away from the sterilizer and cartridges.…

Errant use of gas chromatography for area monitoring of ethylene oxide in SPD departments

In recent months, we have seen certain people touting systems using gas chromatography (provided with a photo-ionization detector) for area monitoring of ethylene oxide in Supply, Processing, and Distribution (SPD) departments. [Sometimes SPD stands for Sterile Processing Department or Sterile Processing and Distribution.] Such systems, despite their expense, were reasonably popular 20-25 years ago. However,…

Predominant EtO Monitoring Methods Used By Hospitals

Gas detection methods have been changing and evolving and awareness has heightened as well, along with the ever changing methods of sterilization. To answer your question regarding what “most” hospitals are using to monitor EtO, a fair response would be narrowed down to either electrochemical sensors or gas chromatographs (GCs). Interscan has sold close to…

Our commentary on OSHA’s Small Business Guide for Ethylene Oxide

On 30 April 2009, OSHA released a comprehensive document entitled “Small Business Guide for Ethylene Oxide.” This new publication is available as a spiffy pdf (14.2 MB) or as a more browsable web page. The agency considers it to be a “guidance document,” in that it is advisory in nature, is informational in content, and…

New requirements for EtO usage

EPA and FIFRA While most matters regarding occupational exposure to toxic compounds—in the United States—fall under the purview of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), in some cases, other federal agencies are also involved. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 United States Code §§ 136-136y (2008), the EPA has re-registered…

If an EtO area monitor is installed, are bi-weekly leak tests still required?

The original reference for periodic leak testing comes from 29 CFR 1910.1047 App A, and is entitled “Substance safety data sheet for ethylene oxide (non-mandatory).” Section VII-2-i of the document states: Leak detection. Sterilizer door gaskets, cylinder and vacuum piping, hoses, filters, and valves must be checked for leaks under full pressure with a Fluorocarbon…

EtO continuous monitoring systems versus monitoring badges

Monitoring badges are integrating rather than real-time devices, yielding an accumulated value—often incorrectly interpreted as an “average”—calculated over the time period the badge was active. The advantage of real time monitoring is that it WILL keep track of spikes and excursions, while a badge will merely accumulate this information into the total. Since OSHA does…