Health-hazard evaluation report HETA-87-365-1848, Memorial Hospital of Southern Oklahoma, Ardmore, Oklahoma. [Ethylene oxide exposure]

Technical Report · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6909272

Gunter, B J

An evaluation was made of possible worker exposure to ethylene oxide during equipment sterilizing procedures in a hospital. Levels of ethylene oxide in three of the general room air samples exceeded the OSHA permissible level of 2.0 microg/cu m. Breathing-zone samples were below the limit of detection for ethylene oxide. High levels of ethylene oxide resulted from an inadequate exhaust ventilation rate during an aborted cycle and the fact that the drain pipe from the sterilizer was not enclosed sufficiently in the floor drain and did not have a local exhaust hood built over it. The author concludes that although these workers are not overexposed to ethylene oxide by NIOSH criteria, there is a possibility of overexposure occurring if a worker goes into the sterilizer room during either an aborted or normal cycle. The author recommends that the problems with the ventilation of the floor drain in the sterilizer room be addressed.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6909272
• Report Number(s): PB-88-203773/XAB; HETA-87-365-1848
• 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
BUILDINGS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HOSPITALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MATERIALS
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
POLLUTION
STERILIZATION
VENTILATION