Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization has been touted for some years as a replacement for ethylene oxide. Originally, there were two companies offering sterilizers based on this technology, and for a number of years, the field had narrowed to one—the STERRAD® line. With many facilities interested in replacing EtO, a goodly number of STERRAD units were sold.

In November, 2007, Sterrad posted certain “Urgent Product Correction Information.”

The information covered three matters

  • All brand- and model-specific compatibility lists are now out-of-date, and the user is referred to the device manufacturer
  • Contact with residual peroxide (possibility of skin burns) can occur, and light-colored residues can appear on devices after sterilization
  • Compatibility issues are specifically identified for certain Olympus surgical instruments

At the time, we have posted an article discussing this situation to the popular webzine Health News Digest. The article is also mirrored here.

SPD officials and other interested parties are urged to contact their respective trade associations, and independent experts such as Q-Net to get the best advice on how to proceed.

With respect to the question of  what can be sterilized In the STERRAD® System, a web facility has been set up to provide the latest information.

In 2009, Steris introduced its line of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers.

“Problems on Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilisation - New Proposal for Safety and Effective Use”   [Presented at Annual WFHSS and JSMI Conference 2012 / 13th World Sterilization Congress, in November 2012]    [pdf file 15.6MB] 

While some sterilization experts still question the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization, it has become extremely popular, owing to its short cycle time, and supposed lack of toxic emissions. Nonetheless, many SPDs monitor the air for hydrogen peroxide with Interscan products.