Laboratory validation of five commercially available methods for sampling ethylene oxide in air

Area of Science:

• Industrial Hygiene
• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Monitoring

Background:

• Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a widely used industrial chemical with significant health risks.
• Accurate monitoring of EtO exposure is crucial for occupational safety and regulatory compliance.
• Existing monitoring methods require rigorous evaluation for reliability and accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of different ethylene oxide monitoring devices.
• To assess the accuracy of charcoal tubes and passive monitors against a reference analyzer.
• To determine which device meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) accuracy criteria.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous testing of PCB and JXC charcoal tubes, DuPont Pro-Tek C-70, and 3M #3550 passive monitors.
• Exposure to ethylene oxide at six concentrations (0.25 to 10.7 ppm) at 65% relative humidity.
• Standard sampling and analytical precautions for charcoal tubes; manufacturer analysis for passive badges.

Main Results:

• The DuPont Pro-Tek C-70 passive monitor met OSHA accuracy criteria across the entire tested concentration range.
• PCB and JXC charcoal tubes and the 3M #3550 passive monitor did not consistently meet accuracy requirements.
• Performance varied significantly among the tested ethylene oxide monitoring technologies.

Conclusions:

• The DuPont Pro-Tek C-70 passive monitor is a reliable option for occupational ethylene oxide monitoring.
• Charcoal tubes and other passive monitors may require further development or specific application conditions for accurate EtO detection.
• This evaluation provides critical data for selecting appropriate ethylene oxide monitoring strategies in industrial settings.