Ethylene oxide sterilisation--is it safe?

Gillespie, E. H.; Jackson, J. M.; Owen, Gethin

doi:10.1136/jcp.32.11.1184

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In addition, samples were subjected to a 17-h sterilisation treatment using ethylene oxide gas (EOG) to ascertain the effects of fermentation. EOG is widely used to sterilise medical devices and precision machinery, and kill microorganisms [10]. Moreover, to ascertain the influence of fat and oil, samples was defatted by Soxhlet extraction over a period of 6 h using diethyl ether as solvent.…”

Section: Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Accidents during Storage Caused by Fermentation or Oxidation from SSSR and Fishmeal Using Thermal Analysis and Frank-Kamenetskii Theory

et al. 2018

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Abstract:In Japan, where soy sauce production and the fishery industries thrive, soy sauce squeezing residue (SSSR) and fishmeal, which are operational byproducts of these sectors, are produced as waste materials for recycling. SSSR and fishmeal have resulted in accidents due to spontaneous ignition and oxygen deprivation, which are believed to have been caused by the heat generated through fermentation or oxidation; consequently, it is desirable to develop measures that prevent such accidents during storage and transportation. In this study, we assessed the hazards associated with the spontaneous ignition and oxygen deprivation of SSSR and fishmeal in storage areas using thermal and gas analysers, focusing on the heat produced by fermentation and oxidation. We also used Frank-Kamenetskii theory to determine the relationship between pile height and the ambient temperatures at which spontaneous ignition and oxygen deprivation occur. Our results suggest that oxygen deficiency may occur in a well-sealed storage facility in which oxygen is consumed by fermentation. For example, the oxygen concentration can drop below critical safety thresholds in the case of SSSR, even when stored below 25 • C, particularly when the moisture content is high. However, when a sufficient amount of oxygen is present and the material is stored in large deposits in a well-insulated facility, fermentation causes the temperature to increase, leading to the oxidation of fatty acid esters and eventually fire; when SSSR or fishmeal is maintained at temperatures near 40 • C, their temperatures can increase to 250 • C within approximately 30 h. Furthermore, the results of this study also demonstrate the need to consider pile height in storage areas in order to prevent accidents due to spontaneous ignition and oxygen deprivation; the critical ambient temperature at which heat accumulates is estimated to be between 20-30 • C, at a bulk density of 0.3 × 10 3 kg/m 3 , and a pile height of 3 m.

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Section: Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Accidents during Storage Caused by Fermentation or Oxidation from SSSR and Fishmeal Using Thermal Analysis and Frank-Kamenetskii Theory

et al. 2018

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“…In addition, samples were subjected to a 17-h sterilisation treatment using ethylene oxide gas (EOG), to ascertain the effects of fermentation. EOG is widely used to sterilise medical devices and precision machinery, and to kill all microorganisms [15].…”

Section: Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Fires and Oxygen Deficiency Risks Caused by Stored Agricultural Waste

et al. 2018

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In the Japanese agricultural industry, efforts are being made to recycle waste produced in order to use resources more efficiently. However, in some cases, when stored for long periods of time these materials generate heat through fermentation, which can eventually result in spontaneous ignition or oxygen deficiency in storage areas, resulting in the deaths of workers. In this study, we conducted a series of experiments on several types of agricultural waste (organic waste generated by agricultural production activities in Japan) frequently stored for recycling, using combinations of various thermal-and gas-analysers, in order to identify the risk factors related to spontaneous ignition and oxygen deficiency accidents. The aim of this research was to understand the circumstances leading to spontaneous ignition and oxygen deficiency accidents in storage facilities and to recommend safety measures to prevent such occurrences. Our results suggest that fermentation is likely responsible for the generation of heat and production of carbon dioxide at temperatures up to approximately 50 • C, where microbial activity diminishes. At temperatures beyond 50 • C, a transition into heat generation by the oxidation of fatty acid esters occurs. Additionally, when the barrier of heat absorption is overcome at around 100 • C due to the evaporation of water, there is a transition to thermal cracking that could lead to fire. Accidents due to oxygen deficiency may occur when a storage facility is well sealed and the amount of oxygen circulation is minimal. However, when the amount of oxygen is sufficient; the substance is stored in large deposits; and the facility is well insulated, fermentation can cause the temperature to increase. Therefore, it is desirable to periodically measure the temperature of stored materials and monitor the generated gases.

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“…After ETO sterilization, ETO is usually removed by ventilation with freon or CO,. It could be demonstrated that ETO desorption from sterilized equipment follows an exponential function (31); Gillespie et al (32) concluded that deaeration at room temperature for 4 days reduced residual ETO levels in long narrow tubes to "safe" levels of 200 ppm. More prolonged storage time to allow for exhaustive deaeration may be desirable.…”

Section: Allergic Reactions To Eto In Dialyzed Patientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethylene Oxide (ETO) as a Major Cause of Anaphylactoid Reactions in Dialysis (A review)

Bommer

Ritz

1987

Artificial Organs

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Ethylene oxide (ETO), an alkylating compound of high chemical reactivity, is widely used for gas sterilization, but recently serious ETO side reactions have been recognized. With chronic ETO exposure, increased spontaneous abortion, sister chromatid exchange, and leukemia are observed. After medical use of ETO outside nephrology, contact dermatitis, cardiopulmonary shock (during cardiopulmonary surgery), allergic local reactions to ETO sterilized lenses, and anaphylactoid reactions to ETO sterilized catheters have been described. In numerous dialysis patients widespread hypersensitivity to ETO has been documented by skin prick test and ETO radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Furthermore an anaphylactoid "first-use reaction" was described in dialyzed patients, most of whom were using hollow-fiber dialyzers. After long discussions whether complement activation versus hypersensitivity is the cause of such acute anaphylactoid reactions, more recent studies using either ETO RAST or basophil degranulation tests implicate ETO hypersensitivity as their major cause. The high prevalence of sensitization to ETO and the frequency, unpredictability, and potential danger of anaphylactoid reactions to ETO lead to the conclusion that ETO sterilization of dialyzers should be discontinued, since alternative modalities of sterilization are currently available.

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Ethylene oxide sterilisation--is it safe?

Cited by 10 publications

References 9 publications

Investigation of Accidents during Storage Caused by Fermentation or Oxidation from SSSR and Fishmeal Using Thermal Analysis and Frank-Kamenetskii Theory

Investigation of Accidents during Storage Caused by Fermentation or Oxidation from SSSR and Fishmeal Using Thermal Analysis and Frank-Kamenetskii Theory

Evaluating the Fires and Oxygen Deficiency Risks Caused by Stored Agricultural Waste

Ethylene Oxide (ETO) as a Major Cause of Anaphylactoid Reactions in Dialysis (A review)

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