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Field evaluation of direct-reading continuous ethylene oxide monitors. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5608836
;

The Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center Central Processing Section (WHMC/SGLP) uses ethylene oxide (EtO) as a primary sterilizing agent. Because of their concern about the health effects of EtO, SGLP has searched for a continuous-monitoring EtO system. In their search, they found two units (AMSCO's Envirogard III and Baseline Industries, Inc.'s Model 5500 Gas Analyzer). The objective of this evaluation was to conduct a field study to compare the performances of the two direct-reading continuous EtO monitors against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) acceptable charcoal-tube sampling method. In addition, the 3M EtO passive monitor sampling method was compared with the charcoal-tube method and direct-reading instrumental method as well. Neither the Baseline Industries, Inc. nor the AMSCO continuous monitors corresponded to OSHA acceptable charcoal tube method of air sampling. Both instruments reported EtO concentrations much higher than those detected by the charcoal tubes. There is no way of knowing which method, the direct-reading continuous monitor or the charcoal tube/passive monitor, is more correct. However, the OSHA standard for EtO is based on measuring EtO by the charcoal tube method.

Research Organization:
Air Force Occupational and Environmental Health Lab., Brooks AFB, TX (USA)
OSTI ID:
5608836
Report Number(s):
AD-A-209426/6/XAB; OEHL--89-036EH0100EEF
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ADSORBENTS
AIR
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORS
CHARCOAL
DOCUMENT TYPES
FIELD TESTS
FLUIDS
GASES
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
MEDICINE
MONITORS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
POLLUTION
PROGRESS REPORT
SAFETY
SAMPLING
STERILIZATION
TESTING
TUBES