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

Technical Report · Mon May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5608836

Hossain, M A; Carpenter, D R

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

Related Subjects

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