Masks are used in our lives in the current epidemic prevention and control. However, have you noticed that there is a special note on the packaging bag of medical masks that "this product has been sterilized with ethylene oxide"? What is ethylene oxide? How is it sterilized? Let's take a closer look below.
Active ingredients of sterilizing gas
The sterilizing gas is made of ethylene oxide (C2H4O, also known as "EO") as an active ingredient and mixed with carbon dioxide. Because pure ethylene oxide is flammable and explosive, and has a wide explosion limit, by mixing the inert gas carbon dioxide, the explosion limit can be changed, the risk of explosion can be reduced, and the safety of use can be improved. The specific gravity and molecular weight of carbon dioxide are similar to those of ethylene oxide, so a mixture of 30% ethylene oxide is often used for sterilization.
Sterilization principle of ethylene oxide (C2H4O)
Ethylene oxide (C2H4O) has non-specific alkylation with the protein molecules of microorganisms, causing the protein to lose reactive groups, hindering the normal biochemical reaction and metabolism of the protein, and causing the death of the microorganisms, thereby achieving the sterilization effect. Ethylene oxide can kill a variety of microorganisms, including bacterial propagules, spores, viruses, and fungal spores. Ethylene oxide is an alkylating agent with strong penetrating power, enabling the use of various packaging materials and sterilization in the packaged state. Therefore, most items that are not suitable for sterilization by general methods can be sterilized and sterilized by ethylene oxide, which is one of the most important low-temperature sterilization methods at present.
Sterilization process of ethylene oxide (C2H4O)
Because ethylene oxide is flammable, explosive, and toxic to humans, it must be carried out in a closed ethylene oxide sterilizer.
The ethylene oxide sterilizer consists of a leak-proof, explosion-proof steel chamber, which is first temperature regulated through a heating (pre-treatment) process, then vacuumed, then humidified by a humidifier to achieve sterilization conditions, and then fed Preheated and vaporized sterilizing gas. The temperature, humidity, concentration, time, pressure and packaging method in the sterilizer are all important factors that affect the sterilization effect. Sterilization effects are usually controlled using biological indicators.
Application of sterilizing gas
Sterilization gas is widely used in the production of medical hygiene materials (masks, pads, etc.), disposable medical devices (catheters, injection syringes, endoscopes, pacemakers, etc.) and hollow capsules.
After the masks are produced, they are sealed and packed in a packaging carton, and the entire carton is placed in a sterilization cabinet for sterilization. Ethylene oxide has strong penetrating power, can penetrate boxes and plastic packaging, and penetrate to the product for sterilization.
Although not all masks are sterilized, medical masks must be sterilized.
Validity period of sterile gas
Unlike other gases, sterilization gas has a short "life", which requires production plants to ensure the stability of sterilization gas and extend its validity period through higher technology and management methods. Cylinder treatment process, filling process operation, instrument analysis and quality monitoring, the strict control of each link determines the quality, stability and validity period of the produced sterilization gas.
Of course, as a manufacturer of
ethylene oxide sterilization gas, due to the toxicity and flammable and explosive nature of ethylene oxide, its filling, storage and operation all need to have special filling and operation qualification licenses. There are strict requirements and controls on the issuance of these qualification licenses. Therefore, when choosing a sterilizing gas, be sure to keep these key points in mind.
Professional eto sterilizer, choose Henan angel medical instruments company, any need please email to info01@cnoilmachine.com
