Kinetics of the aeration of ethylene-oxide sterilized plastics

Emission characteristics of plastic syringes sterilized with ethylene oxide—A controlled study

“…Studies have confirmed that the emissions of EO from various EO‐sterilized materials is a diffusion‐controlled process after a preliminary phase; therefore, temperature is a very important factor determining the diffusion coefficient and, thus, concentrations 11, 12, 24. Increases in temperature significantly ( p < 0.05) affected the six kinetic parameters under evaluation (Table I).…”

“…Specifically, the average time to reach 0 and 1 ppm was 517 and 263 h for an ACR of 0.5 h −1 , and 293 and 149 h for an ACR of 2.0 h −1 , respectively. Previous investigations demonstrated that residual EO in unpacked sterilized materials/products decays roughly exponentially following sterilization 9, 11–12. Hence, after ∼20 h, only 10–20% of the initial EO remained 9, 32.…”

Ethylene oxide sterilization in the medical‐supply manufacturing industry: Assessment and control of worker exposure

“…These studies found that EO emission from sterilized materials was a diffusion‐controlled process after a preliminary phase. Therefore, material type, material thickness, temperature, and time are critical factors that determine residual EO levels in sterilized materials 1, 13–17…”

In Activation of B. Subtilis Spores and E. Coli Endotoxin by Ethylene Oxide

“…In addition, the efficacy of the process is influenced by the ease with which the gas can penetrate the inaccessible parts of the device. Ethylene oxide is absorbed by plastic materials but the absorption rate is very uneven and dependent on which material the device is made of (3,4). This means that EO sterilization has a small margin of safety and the chosen parameters have to be fulfilled in every part of the EO oven.…”