Five Reasons to Monitor
Top Reasons to Continuously Monitor Ethylene Oxide, Hydrogen Peroxide and Peracetic Acid
Sterilant chemicals like Ethylene Oxide (EtO), Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂), and Peracetic Acid (PAA) play a crucial role in ensuring safe and effective healthcare. However, exposure to these chemicals in the workplace can present serious health risks. The best way to safeguard workers is through continuous, 24/7 gas monitoring systems—and here’s why:
1. Sterilant chemicals are highly toxic and pose serious health risks.
Sterilant chemicals used in medical equipment reprocessing are designed to eliminate all microorganisms, including highly resistant bacterial spores. Their effectiveness relies on their toxicity. However, exposure to these chemicals has been linked to serious health risks, including cancer, asthma, dermatitis, and reproductive issues, as shown in numerous studies.
2. It is the law to provide a safe work environment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) outlines legalized regulations and standards for chemical sterilization, including a clause that permits them to prosecute employers who are complacent. Employers are also required to alert employees of any leaks. Employers should reference and take into consideration permissible exposure limits (PELs) outlined by OSHA, threshold limit values (TLVs) put in place by the American Conference of Government and Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), NIOSH recommended exposure limits and the EPA’s acute exposure guideline levels (AEGLs). Creating the safest work environment is key to avoiding penalties and greater insurance premiums considering OSHA can conduct random inspections and act in response to employee complaints.
3. It pays to monitor.
Investing $1 in safer workplace conditions can yield a $3 return on investment. Quality patient care depends on the well-being of healthcare workers, who cannot provide effective treatment if they are absent due to illness or injury. The costs of employee turnover—especially for training sterile processing technicians—are often underestimated. When employees feel valued and protected, they perform better and are less likely to leave.
4. Medical sterilization equipment fails.
Just like a car can unexpectedly break down, sterilization equipment is prone to failure—especially with frequent use. Even with the best intentions, busy workers can make mistakes, leading to failed cycles, chemical residue, and vapor exposure.
5. Smell is not a reliable detection method.
While our sense of smell is useful for detecting fresh fish, it’s unreliable for identifying dangerous chemical exposure. PAA vapor concentrations exceeding 0.4 ppm can go unnoticed, and EtO and H₂O₂ vapors have no detectable odor until they reach levels well beyond safe limits.
No sterilant chemical is completely harmless—they are designed to eliminate all life. Healthcare facilities must prioritize safety to protect both workers and patients. By proactively monitoring for hazardous chemical leaks and vapors, implementing employee training, enforcing engineering controls, and maintaining equipment regularly, facilities can set the standard for workplace safety.