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The
National Institutes of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) estimates that
approximately 270,000 US workers are exposed to ethylene oxide (EtO) on the job. Because
of scientific studies which linked EtO exposure to cancer, OSHA lowered the acceptable
exposure limit from 50 parts per million (ppm) to 1 ppm in 1984. This new level has
resulted in a safer environment for the worker, and more regulatory and engineering
challenges for the employer. One must re member that the hazard from this chemical is
exactly what makes it the useful tool in sterilization: it inactivates living organisms if
exposed long enough to a sufficient concentration of gas.
The good news is that the concentration and time necessary for microorganism inactivation can be safely and readily achieved with today's technology. Single-use ampules and self-ventilating machines have reduced the risk to the employee in the veterinary hospital to negligible levels.
Because of the simplicity of the process, it is prone to misuse and shortcuts. The concern in this area is based on the belief that some will try to circumvent the safety procedures because they can detect no immediate adverse effects; the same has been true for clinical radiation exposure.
A good analogy to the current regulations for this chemical can be drawn to the automobile: it is a great tool to the user, but misuse can result in injury. The government, in an effort to protect the population at-large, has set specific safety rules for the manufacture and use of both tools.
Since ethylene oxide is a very simple substance to use, it is also easy to abuse. Some hospitals will perform the procedure in inappropriate containers. Plastic trash cans, coolers or similar devices are unacceptable devices for ethylene oxide sterilization. The only acceptable sterilizer for this procedure is one which automatically purges the chamber at the completion of the cycle. This safety feature is mandated in OSHA's regulation to decrease the exposure of operators when opening the sterilizer.
Additionally, some people mistakenly assume that EtO can be used without problems if the procedure is done outside or in a room with an exhaust fan. This myth couldn't be further from the truth. First, outdoor environmental factors (temperature, humidity, wind, etc.) can not be controlled and may interfere with proper sterilization of the items. Secondly, since the sterilization chamber has still not been purged with fresh air before the operator opens it, there is still an unnecessary risk of exposure to the operator.
This procedure is very safe if done properly and utilizing the proper machine. Currently, the most widely used gas sterilizers in the veterinary profession are the ventilated AnproleneŽ models manufactured by Andersen Products, Inc. These new machines are specially designed with purge systems and automatic ventilation features that minimize the risk of exposure to staff members. Andersen also has a generous trade-in allowance for older, non-ventilated models to encourage hospitals to upgrade to the safer machines. Call Andersen at 1-800-523-1276 for more information.
The information on these pages is excerpted from
The Complete Veterinary Practice Regulatory Compliance Manual (5th Edition) by Philip J. Seibert, Jr., CVT,
Copyright 2003 Philip J. Seibert, Jr., CVT All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced for distribution without prior permission
from the publisher.
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