[Dangers in the use of gas-sterilized materials]

After gas sterilisation of synthetic materials, some traces of the gases employed (ethylene oxide; formaldehyde) can remain in the sterilised material, and, in the case of moist materials, in drops of water. These gases are carcinogenic and, in case of contact to tissue, can lead to fibrinous inflammation and consequently to stenotising scars. Two cases of laryngotracheitis are described, in which insufficiently aired tracheal tubes were used. On contact with material containing chloride ions, e.g. PVC or body fluids, ethylene oxid can be converted to highly toxic ethylene chlorohydrine. For this reason, it is prohibited to sterilise synthetics containing chlorine ions with ethylene oxide.