In-depth survey report: control technology for ethylene oxide sterilization in hospitals at Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children, Cincinnati, Ohio

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6108360

Kercher, S L

An in-depth survey of control technology for reducing exposure during ethylene oxide sterilization occurred at Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children/Burns Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in March, 1985. Short- and long-term concentrations of ethylene oxide were determined. Ventilation measurements were made. Engineering controls consisted of isolating the sterilizer in a ventilated recess room, a ventilated air gap in the drain line, an exhaust slot hood over the sterilizer door, in/chamber aeration, and work practices. The author notes that under certain climatic and wind conditions, exhaust air from the recess room might be entrained in the supply air plenum. It is concluded that the engineering controls work very well in limiting exposures and maintaining low ethylene oxide concentrations in the workroom air. Recommendations include establishing a monitoring program and constructing an exhaust duct for the recess room to prevent entrainment of ethylene-oxide in the supply air intake.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA). Div. of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies
• OSTI ID: 6108360
• Report Number(s): PB-86-123866/XAB; IWS-146-18
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HOSPITALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
SAFETY
STERILIZATION
TOXICITY
VENTILATION