Assessment of Ethylene Oxide Concentrations and Emissions from Sterilization and Fumigation Processes

摘要

Recent concern regarding the mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of ethylene oxide has created the need for the development of sensitive analytical methods capable of determining the presence of ethylene oxide in air samples at levels ranging from 5 pptv in ambient background samples to near percentage levels. The research verified that samples could be collected cryogenically using U-Tubes or using SUMMA electropolished stainless steel canisters. Lower detection limits are provided if samples are collected by the U-Tube method. The methods listed below were developed and found to be effective. Except for the NIOSH method, the detection limits presented below are for U-Tube sample collection. (1) Ion Trap GC/MS-This method was found to be the most sensitive with a detection limit of 1 pptv. (2) Quadrupole GC/MS with Selective Ion Monitoring-This method was found to be almost as sensitive with a detection limit of 10 pptv. (3) Gas Chromatography with Photoionization Detection-The detection limit with a 10.6 ev lamp was 10 pptv. (4) Quadrupole GC/MS with Full Scan Monitoring-This method was found to provide a detection limit of 0.1 ppbv. (5) Portable Gas Chromatograph with Photoionization Detection-The detection provide a detection limit of 0.1 ppbv.