In-depth survey report: control technology for ethylene oxide sterilization in hospitals at Euclid General Hospital, Euclid, Ohio.

Details

• Personal Author:
  O'Brien, Dennis M.
• Description:
  An indepth survey of control technology for ethylene-oxide (75218) sterilization was conducted in the Central Services Department of Euclid General Hospital (SIC-8062), Euclid, Ohio in September, 1984. Industrial hygiene sampling for ethylene-oxide was conducted. Engineering controls consisted of local exhaust ventilation above the sterilizers, at the drain, at the safety relief valve, and around the ethylene-oxide cylinders, general ventilation, and use of a pulse/purge phase at the end of the sterilization cycle. A three component ethylene-oxide monitoring program was in place, consisting of continuous monitoring with an alarm system, environmental area monitoring performed by an outside contractor, and medical monitoring. All time weighted average (TWA) ethylene-oxide exposures were below 0.2 part per million. The OSHA TWA standard for ethylene-oxide is 1ppm. Proper work practices for employees were outlined in a procedure and policy manual. The Central Services Director provided education and training on proper work practices and the hazards of ethylene-oxide exposure. The author concludes that the engineering controls at the facility successfully minimize employee exposure to ethylene-oxide. Based on the survey results, the Central Services Department should be commended for a very sound program for ethylene-oxide control.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Environmental Pollution Mental Health Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety
• Keywords:
  Air-sampling Control-technology Exposure-levels Field-Study Gas-sampling Hazards Health-standards Industrial-environment Medical-facilities NIOSH-Author NIOSH-Survey Region-5 Sterility

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• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHECTB14614b
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Studies ; Control Technology
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DPSE - Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-30
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00150857
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ECTB 146-14b, 1985 Jun; :1-30
• CAS Registry Number:
  Ethylene oxide (CAS RN 75-21-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1985
• NORA Priority Area:
  Control-technology
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  8062 - General medical & surgical hospitals - (SIC)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c0a6e5e43bc4ce96d7df2972c29919741e559d50da1ddd15ef4eaacd8e387f9a9f9af790424cdb23df5dde829f8f6f92a849958dc1f644da62b0a1b50a3d464e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/179745/cdc_179745_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 785.43 KB ]