This study was conducted at five Ethylene Oxide(EO) sterilizing processes in hospitals located in Seoul from August 8 to August 30, 1994. The main purposes of this study were to assess the TWA (Time Weighted Average) and short term exposures to EO and to evaluate factors affecting EO concentrations in sterilizing room. Results are summarized as follows.
I. The TWA concentrations of the sterilizing operators ranged from $lt;0.005ppm to 3.04ppm and those of two sterilizing rooms out of five exceeded 1ppm, the Korean and ACGIH standards.
2. When the door of the sterilizer is opened at the end of the sterilization cycle, the short term concentrations of operators ranged froth $lt;0.005ppm to 11.4ppm, and those of three sterilizing room out of five exceeded 5ppm, the ACGIH short term exposure limit(STEL). The short term concentrations of area samples ranged from 0.24ppm to 49.2ppm and those of four sterilizing room out of five exceeded 5ppm.
3. Factors affecting EO exposure level were aeration type, the location of storage site for sterilized item, amount of gas, use period of sterilizer(p$lt;0.005).
4. Following recommendations are suggested to minimize exposure to EO.
The use of EO gas should be reduced by using another available sterilization methods, and the sterilizers and gas tank storage site should be isolated from other work areas. Combination of local and general ventilation system should be installed. Metal carts or baskets for sterilization load should be used, and work environment and medical monitoring should be performed regularly.
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