Sterilization of Syringes by Ethylene Oxide

Abstract

SUMMARY Three types of disposable syringe, all known to be sterilized commercially by ethylene oxide, were contaminated with Bacillus subtilis spores at the most inaccessible site, between plunger and barrel, and processed under controlled conditions. The rate of failure in sterilization was related to the syringe design as well as to the number of spores initially present. Rubber tippe plungers forming a double edge contact with the barrel failed to a degree that varied with the thickness of the contacting edges and the tightness of fit in the barrel. Although ethylene oxide may be used if initial contamination is low, gamma radiation would be more reliable for this type of syringe.

Radiation Sterilization and the Anaesthetist

“…The sterilizing process is able to reach areas normally remote from other agents, e.g. the contiguous surfaces of the barrel and plunger of a hypodermic syringe are inaccessible in some instances to ethylene oxide (Rubbo and Gardner 1968), and the interior of long lengths of plastic tubing is difficult to sterilize by either heat or ethylene oxide. 3.…”