Release of gas residues from an ethylene oxide sterilized haemodialyser

Ethylene oxide, a toxic gas used as sterilant for medical devices, is absorbed in plastic materials. The gas is desorbed from the sterilized devices occasionally leading to injuries to the users. A photoionization detector, being specific and sensitive, is used for measurement of liberated ethylene oxide from a haemodialyser. The detector, used as a flow through cell direct connected to the haemodialyser, enables measurement of ethylene oxide in quantities ten times smaller than the maximum daily exposure.