Health-hazard evaluation report HETA-87-207-1845, University of Colorado, Health Science Center, Denver, Colorado. [Ethylene oxide exposure]

Technical Report · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6955073

Nichting, A T; Hales, T R; Gunter, B J

A study of possible hospital employee exposure to ethylene oxide was undertaken. Employees had complained of headaches and possible neurological problems. A personal breathing-zone sample collected from the sterilizer operator showed levels of ethylene oxide at the limit of quantitation, 0.02mg/cu m. In sterilizer and mechanical-access-room samples, ethylene oxide was detected ranging up to 0.2mg/cu m levels. The authors conclude that a potential for exposure to ethylene oxide exists for workers in the sterilizer room. The authors recommend that efforts be continued to keep ethylene oxide levels as low as possible and to check for possible leaks in the system. Effective ventilation controls should be established, and a warning system should be installed in the mechanical access room. Respirators, protective clothing, training for employees, safety meetings, and medical evaluations for personnel were all included in the recommendations following the investigation.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6955073
• Report Number(s): PB-88-202809/XAB; HETA-87-207-1845
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
HOSPITALS
STERILIZATION
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
VENTILATION
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
CLOTHING
MATERIALS
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
POLLUTION
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health