Are you safe? How do you know?
March 11, 2025
ChemDAQ’s Trusted Chemical Vapor Monitoring Helps Hospitals Ensure Compliance with ANSI/AAMI ST58:2024
In healthcare facilities, chemical sterilization and high-level disinfection play a critical role in preventing infections and ensuring patient safety. However, these processes also introduce potential risks to sterile processing workers due to exposure to hazardous chemical vapors such as peracetic acid (PAA), ethylene oxide (EtO), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
The latest ANSI/AAMI ST58:2024 provides updated guidelines and recommendations for chemical sterilization and high-level disinfection in healthcare facilities, emphasizing the importance of chemical monitoring to maintain a safe work environment. ChemDAQ’s advanced, continuous monitoring solutions are designed to help facilities meet these standards with ease.
The Importance of Chemical Monitoring
ST58:2024 highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of these hazardous gases, noting that even the most well-maintained sterilization equipment can emit hazardous vapors, and odor alone is an unreliable indicator of exposure levels. Continuous monitoring systems provide real-time alerts, helping facilities detect hazardous concentrations, ensure worker safety, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
Peracetic Acid Monitoring
Peracetic acid (PAA) is widely used in sterilization due to its strong antimicrobial properties. However, exposure to its vapors can pose serious health risks, including respiratory irritation and even occupational asthma. The implementation of continuous monitoring in areas where PAA is used can:
- Detect hazardous concentrations before they reach dangerous levels.
- Alert workers when exposure thresholds are exceeded.
- Provide documentation for compliance and safety audits.
Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Monitoring
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is commonly used in sterilization, but even properly maintained sterilizers can sometimes exceed OSHA’s permissible exposure limits (as documented in these studies (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28636451/, https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/630, https://www.steris.com/healthcare/knowledge-center/sterile-processing/hydrogen-peroxide-sterilization)). Overexposure to hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation, painful burns and blisters, and permanent eye damage. Further, H2O2 is a known animal carcinogen and mutagen. The ANSI/AAMI ST58:2024 guidelines recommend continuous monitoring if there is the potential for exposure to exceed the OSHA PEL. Continuous monitoring significantly enhances workplace safety and helps to mitigate employee exposure by:
- Identifying potential leaks or equipment failures.
- Providing instant alerts to prevent overexposure.
- Enabling data-driven decision-making for facility safety improvements.
Ethylene Oxide Vapor Monitoring
Ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure can pose significant health risks, including respiratory issues, neurological effects, and long-term carcinogenic concerns. The latest updates to ANSI/AAMI ST58:2024 provide clear guidelines on recommendations for ethylene oxide sterilization monitoring, including:
- EtO exposure is recommended to be kept below the permissible exposure limits established by OSHA.
- Emergency response plans to be in place to address leaks or accidental exposures.
- It is recommended that employees be trained in proper monitoring procedures and equipment maintenance.
Why Choose ChemDAQ?
ChemDAQ has been a trusted partner in chemical monitoring for more than 25 years, providing innovative solutions that enhance workplace safety. Our monitoring systems help healthcare facilities and sterile processing to:
- Protect employees from hazardous chemical exposure.
- Ensure compliance with ANSI/AAMI ST58:2024 and OSHA standards.
- Maintain accurate records for audits and regulatory requirements.