Aeration of medical plastics

Because the metabolic reaction that gives ethylene oxide is sterilizing qualities also takes place with human protein, it is imperative that any residual gas be removed before the sterilized material is used on the patient. This paper presents a method of estimating aeration time required following sterilization of polyvinyl choride (PVC) to reduced toxic residues to a desired level. The method proposed involves calculation of the coefficient of diffusivity, and the use of a simplified diffusion equation to estimate aeration time.