[Case Study] Analysis of Ethylene Oxide by HS-GC-FID Method

A simple and cost-effective HS-GC-FID analysis for ethylene oxide analysis of surgical masks.

Surgical masks are worn by healthcare professionals during tasks such as surgeries, and like other medical devices, they need to be sterilized to eliminate bacteria and viruses. In some countries, sterilization using ethylene oxide is performed. On the other hand, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that "ethylene oxide may have harmful effects on the wearer, and therefore is not recommended for the sterilization of masks that are worn on the face," and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not approve the use of ethylene oxide as a sterilant. Therefore, it is necessary to test that ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol, which is generated during its sterilization process, are sufficiently removed from the final product. This technical document introduces a high-sensitivity and cost-effective analysis method for ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol in medical masks using capillary column GC-FID analysis.

Analytical Equipment and Devices