In-depth survey report: control technology for ethylene oxide sterilization at Bethesda Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio

An indepth survey of control technology for ethylene oxide sterilization was conducted at Bethesda Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, in June 1984. Industrial hygiene sampling for ethylene oxide was performed. Preventive maintenance on the sterilization equipment was performed by an outside contractor. Some personal monitoring for ethylene oxide, averaging once a year, was conducted. It was noted that the operators manually transferred items from the sterilizer cart into the aerator. The authors conclude that full-shift and short-period exposures to ethylene oxide are well controlled. The exposures to the sterilizer operators can be controlled further by their not manually lifting the items from the sterilizer cart into the aerator. Sensors and alarm devices should be installed on the ventilation systems.