Applications of EtO Sterilization
1. In the health-products and medical fields
- Fibre-optic endoscopes, surgical telescopes, and other optical medical equipment
- Ophthalmic instruments, Dental instruments, Plastic instruments (e.g. Speculae, syringes)
- Oxygen tents, anesthesia masks and circuits, Artificial kidney machines, heart-lung machines, cardiac pacemakers
- Rubber and plastic tubing (e.g. catheters), surgical gloves, sheets & tubing
- Cotton balls and pads, swabs & bandages
- Electrical equipment (e.g. drills, pumps, motors)
- Respirators and inhalation therapy supplies
- Surgical staplers/staples, sutures, sharps
2. Pharmaceutical Packing Material
- Plastic bags
- Plastic cups bottles
- Rubber articles
- Cartons Gelatin capsules
3. Treatment of whole and ground spices, packaged cereals, vegetable gums, starches, dried nuts, foods, seeds and other similar materials
Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts, Turmeric, Japanese tea, Psyllium Husk, Senna, Ayurvedic powder, Alkaloids.
4. Cosmetic Raw Material
Talcs, Puffs, Cosmetic brushes, Face powders, Toothbrushes, Colouring powders, Starca, Aerosol valves
5. Preservation of Valuable Archival Books and Documents
| Ethylene Oxide | Diluent Gas (CO2) | Flammability |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 90% carbon dioxide | Non Flammable |
| 20% | 80% carbon dioxide | Non Flammable |
| 30% | 70% carbon dioxide | Non Flammable |
| 90% | 10% carbon dioxide | Flammable |
| 100% | NIL | Flammable |