Industrywide studies report: a walk-through survey of Professional Medical Products, Greenwood, South Carolina. [Ethylene oxide]

A walk-through survey of Professional Medical Products in Greenwood, South Carolina was conducted in June, 1985. The purpose of the survey was to determine the feasibility of including the facility in a NIOSH industrywide mortality/industrial hygiene study of ethylene oxide. The facility used ethylene oxide to sterilize various medical products from 1962 to 1985. Ethylene oxide use was discontinued in February, 1985. The company currently used outside contractors for sterilization. The authors conclude that the facility meets eligibility requirements for the NIOSH study; it can contribute at least 400 person/years; it had adequate personnel records to indicate individual exposures; and a serious confounding exposure to a known leukemogen does not exist. Inclusion of the facility in the NIOSH study is recommended.