Why Ships with CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems Rely on PureAire Oxygen Deficiency Monitors for Safety

 

Fire Suppression Systems

Fire suppression systems are indispensable to ship safety. These automated systems quickly detect fires and respond immediately, protecting personnel, cargo, and the ship itself. These systems automatically release firefighting agents like water mist, foam, or carbon dioxide (CO2) to suppress or extinguish the flames. By rapidly containing fires, fire suppression systems prevent them from escalating and causing more widespread destruction.

Carbon dioxide fire suppression systems are among the most effective ways to extinguish fires without spreading the flames or damaging equipment. Unlike water-based suppressants that reduce heat, a CO2 fire suppression system floods the area with carbon dioxide, dropping oxygen concentrations to a level that can no longer sustain the fire.

However, CO₂ displaces oxygen, creating a dangerous asphyxiation risk for anyone in an enclosed space. Proper safety precautions are essential, as high concentrations of CO2 above 5% can be hazardous to personnel, posing an asphyxiation risk.

The Hidden Danger of CO₂ Fire Suppression

Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas that displaces or depletes oxygen and, at elevated levels, can cause dizziness, confusion, headache, shortness of breath, unconsciousness, and even death due to asphyxiation.

CO2 fire suppression systems flood a space with carbon dioxide, removing oxygen to suffocate the fire. While this system effectively suppresses fires, personnel cannot detect unsafe CO₂ levels or determine if it is safe to reenter the area once the fire is extinguished.

What Happens When Oxygen Levels Drop?

Oxygen deprivation is often referred to as a silent killer. People exposed to an oxygen-deficient environment are not aware of the lack of oxygen in the air.

At 19.5% oxygen, your body starts to feel the effects.

At 16-18% oxygen, you may experience dizziness, confusion, and impaired coordination.

At below 10% oxygen, unconsciousness and death can occur within minutes.

Since CO₂ has no smell, color, or warning signs, a reliable oxygen deficiency monitor is the only way to detect when oxygen levels are too low for safe entry.

The Solution: PureAire Oxygen Deficiency Monitor

The PureAire Oxygen Deficiency Monitor measures oxygen levels within confined spaces where CO2 fire suppression systems 24/7.

Why PureAire is the Best Choice for Marine Safety

✔ Non-Depleting Sensor – Unlike traditional O₂ monitors, PureAire’s zirconium oxide sensor never needs replacing, ensuring years of worry-free protection.

✔ Real-Time Continuous Monitoring – Provides instant audible and visual alerts when oxygen levels fall below 19.5%, preventing accidents before they happen.

✔ Loud Audible & Visual Alarms – Audible and visual alerts are immediately triggered when oxygen reaches an unsafe level, alerting crew members to stay clear of the area until oxygen concentrations return to a safe level.

✔ Rugged & Marine-Ready – Designed for harsh conditions, including engine rooms, cargo holds, and fuel storage compartments.

✔ Regulatory Compliance –Meets USCG, SOLAS, and NFPA 12 marine safety standards.

Where to Install the PureAire Oxygen Deficiency Monitor?

To maximize safety, install the PureAire Oxygen Monitor in the following key locations:

Engine Rooms – The most common area for CO₂ suppression, making it a high-risk zone for oxygen depletion.

Fuel Storage Areas – Ensures crew safety in spaces where flammable materials require fire suppression.

Cargo Holds – Prevents asphyxiation risks in enclosed storage compartments.

Crew Workspaces – Adds an extra layer of protection near CO₂ fire suppression zones.

By strategically placing PureAire monitors, you eliminate the risk of oxygen depletion accidents and keep your vessel compliant with safety regulations.

Regulatory Compliance: Meeting Marine Safety Standards

CO₂ fire suppression is highly effective, but without proper safety measures, it can be deadly. Regulatory agencies require oxygen monitoring in enclosed spaces using CO₂ suppression.

✅ U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) – Recommends oxygen safety measures for CO₂ fire suppression systems.

✅ SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) – Mandates proper ventilation and oxygen monitoring before re-entry.

✅ NFPA 12 – 4.5.6 Establishes oxygen monitoring as part of CO₂ suppression safety.

✅ Classification Societies (ABS, Lloyd’s Register, DNV) – Recommends oxygen monitors to prevent accidental asphyxiation.

Using PureAire’s Oxygen Deficiency Monitor, ship operators ensure compliance with industry-leading safety regulations while protecting their crew from harm.

Best Practices for CO₂ Fire Suppression & Oxygen Monitoring

To ensure the highest level of safety, follow these best practices when using CO₂ fire suppression with the PureAire Oxygen Monitor:

✔ Install oxygen monitors near all CO₂ discharge areas.

✔ Ensure alarms are loud and visible for crew members.

✔ Regularly inspect and calibrate oxygen monitors for accuracy.

✔ Train crew members on oxygen deficiency risks and safety protocols.

✔ Never enter a CO₂-discharged area without checking oxygen levels first.

By implementing these best practices, you can eliminate the risk of oxygen-related accidents and create a safer working environment for everyone on board.

Conclusion

CO₂ fire suppression systems, because of their oxygen-depleting nature, are an effective fire prevention system for marine vessels, but they pose a serious risk to personnel—oxygen depletion. Without a proper monitoring system, crew members could unknowingly enter an oxygen-deficient space, leading to life-threatening consequences.

The PureAire Oxygen Deficiency Monitor is the best solution for ensuring safe oxygen levels before, during, and after a CO₂ discharge. Its non-depleting sensor, real-time monitoring, and immediate alarms provide unmatched safety and peace of mind for ship owners, captains, and crew.

Don’t take risks with oxygen depletion. Protect your crew and vessel today with the PureAire Oxygen Deficiency Monitor.

Ready to Upgrade Your Marine Safety?

Every ship using CO₂ fire suppression needs a reliable oxygen deficiency monitor. The PureAire Oxygen Deficiency Monitor is the best safety solution available, providing continuous, real-time monitoring to ensure a safe environment for your crew.

Contact PureAire today to learn how our industry-leading oxygen deficiency monitors can keep your crew, cargo, and vessel safe.

#MaritimeSafety #CO2FireSuppression #OxygenDeficiencyMonitoring #ShipSafety #PureAireMonitoring #FireSuppressionSafety #GasDetection #MarineSafetyEquipment #WorkplaceSafety #HazardousGasMonitoring

The Cold Truth: Why Traditional Ammonia Sensors Fail – and How PureAire Leads the Way

 

Ammonia is an essential refrigerant used in food processing, cold storage, and industrial manufacturing due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, detecting ammonia leaks in cold environments presents significant challenges. Many traditional ammonia sensors fail, provide inaccurate readings, or require frequent maintenance due to freezing conditions.

PureAire engineered its Universal Gas Detectors to overcome these challenges. Unlike conventional ammonia sensors, it features a proprietary renewable electrochemical (EC) sensor with an advanced electrolyte formulation designed to prevent freezing. This innovation ensures reliable performance in ultra-cold environments without sensor degradation.

Why Do Most Ammonia Sensors Fail in Cold Environments?

Most ammonia sensors fall into three primary categories, each with inherent limitations when used in cold storage and industrial refrigeration settings:

Chemisorption (MOS) Sensors – Unreliable in Cold & Low-Humidity Environments

• Non-specific to ammonia, leading to inaccurate readings and false alarms.
• Prone to failure in ultra-cold conditions due to dried-out sensing elements.
• Fluctuations in humidity cause inconsistent readings.
• Requires frequent calibration, leading to increased maintenance costs.

Standard Electrochemical (EC) Sensors – Susceptible to Freezing & Short Lifespan

• Temperature Sensitivity – Standard EC sensors freeze in low temperatures, causing sensor failure.
• Short Operational Life – Typically lasts only 1-2 years and degrades quickly in ammonia-rich environments.
• Electrolyte Freezing Issues – The internal electrolyte solution in traditional EC sensors cannot withstand freezing temperatures, leading to operational failure.

Infrared (IR) Sensors – Unstable in Extreme Temperature Fluctuations

• Vulnerable to frost buildup, which interferes with sensor readings.
• Requires additional environmental protection, increasing overall system costs.
• Frequent recalibration is necessary, reducing operational efficiency.

PureAire – Renewable Freeze-Resistant Electrolyte Electrochemical Sensor

Unlike conventional EC sensors, PureAire’s ammonia sensor is uniquely engineered with an electrolyte solution that prevents freezing, ensuring consistent performance in extreme cold, making it ideal for applications such as meat processing plants, refrigerated warehouses, and pharmaceutical cold storage.

Key Advantages of PureAire’s Advanced Ammonia Sensor Technology

✔ Cold-Resistant Electrochemical Sensor – Designed to prevent freezing, ensuring accurate ammonia detection in ultra-cold environments.

✔ Extended Sensor Lifespan – Up to 8 Years – Significantly outlasts standard EC sensors, which typically last 1-2 years and require frequent replacement, making them more costly. PureAire’s long-life EC sensors reduce replacement frequency and costs.

✔ Minimal Maintenance Requirements – Unlike MOS and standard EC sensors that require frequent recalibration, PureAire’s sensor is nearly maintenance-free.

✔ Continuous Monitoring with Self-Diagnostics – Automated system checks eliminate the need for manual monitoring, ensuring uninterrupted operation.

✔ Seamless Integration with Building Automation Systems – Compatible with SCADA, PLC, BACnet, and Modbus systems via 4-20mA output and dual-level alarms, making it an ideal solution for industrial refrigeration.

Industries That Benefit from PureAire’s Ammonia Sensors

PureAire’s advanced ammonia detection technology is a game-changer for industries that require reliable monitoring in cold environments, including:

• Food Processing and Cold Storage – Meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood processing facilities rely on ammonia refrigeration.
• Beverage and Brewery Facilities – Large-scale beverage production plants utilizing ammonia-based cooling systems.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing – Facilities requiring ultra-cold storage for sensitive medications and vaccines.
• Ice Production and Frozen Goods Warehousing – Reliable, needing robust ammonia leak detection for safety and compliance.

Choose PureAire for Reliable Ammonia Detection in Cold Environments

Traditional ammonia sensors are often unreliable in freezing conditions for food processing, cold storage, and industrial refrigeration facilities. MOS, standard EC, and IR sensors struggle with temperature and humidity fluctuations, require constant maintenance, or fail entirely.

PureAire’s Universal Gas Detector Benefits

✔ Unmatched reliability in ultra-cold environments due to its freeze-resistant electrolyte technology.

✔ Extended sensor life of up to 8 years with minimal recalibration.

✔ Reduced maintenance costs and fewer false alarms compared to traditional sensors.

✔ Continuous, accurate ammonia monitoring with zero downtime.

Ensure your facility is safe and compliant with the most advanced ammonia detection technology on the market. Contact PureAire today to learn more.

#AmmoniaDetection #ColdStorageSafety #IndustrialRefrigeration #AmmoniaSensors #PureAireMonitoring #RefrigerationSafety #GasDetection #SensorTechnology #WorkplaceSafety #HazardousGasMonitoring

Paint Booth Safety Includes Flammable Gas Detection

 

Paint booths provide a controlled environment for applying paint smoothly, efficiently, and professionally across the automotive, aerospace, furniture, and home decor industries. However, flammable gases and vapors including but limited to xylene, hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane, butane, hexane) in these spaces pose significant safety risks. Understanding these risks and how gas detection systems are key to employees’ safety and preventing accidents.

Hidden Dangers in the Paint Booth Environment

 While an industrial paint booth creates a controlled setting for painting, it also comes with several potential hazards that can put workers and the facility at risk including:

1. Fire and Explosion Hazards

• Flammable Gases & Vapors: Many paint products contain solvents that emit combustible vapors, which can ignite if they reach their Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).
• Electrostatic Discharge: Paint spraying can generate static electricity, which may ignite flammable vapors without proper grounding.
• Ignition Sources: Sparks from electrical equipment, lighting, heating elements, or even friction can cause fires in a paint booth.

2. Toxic Fume Exposure & Respiratory Hazards

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Many industrial paints release hazardous VOCs, which can cause dizziness, headaches, and long-term health effects like organ damage or cancer.
• Particulate Matter: Fine paint mist can settle in the lungs, leading to respiratory irritation, asthma, or lung disease if inhaled.
• Isocyanates & Other Chemicals: Some paints contain isocyanates, which are highly toxic and can trigger severe allergic reactions or chronic lung conditions.

Paint booth ventilation systems help control vapor levels, keeping them below 25% of the lower explosive limit. However, routine inspections and built-in alarms are not foolproof. To enhance safety, installing accurate flammable gas monitors provides critical backup protection.

MPS LEL Flammable Gas Monitors Protect Employees

Paint booths are inherently hazardous due to the presence of combustible gases. Specialized piping and explosion-proof components help minimize risks but do not eliminate the threat of leaks within the enclosed environment.

An MPS LEL Flammable Gas Monitor continuously detects flammable gas levels and will alert staff with audible and visual alarms if concentrations approach dangerous thresholds. The alarms provide valuable time to shut off supply valves, evacuate personnel, and prevent potential explosions.

Beyond serving as a best practice for workplace safety, state, local, and federal guidelines may also legally require LEL gas monitors.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides strict guidelines for workplaces where flammable gases are present:

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 (Confined Space Entry) which requires continuous atmospheric monitoring to prevent explosion hazards in confined spaces such as storage tanks and process vessels.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000 (Air Contaminants Standard) – Mandates exposure limits for hazardous gases, protecting personnel from exposure to dangerous gas concentrations.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119 (Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals) – Enforces rigorous controls for facilities handling combustible gases to prevent catastrophic accidents.

PureAire Flammable Gas Monitoring Solution

PureAire Monitoring Systems’ MPS Flammable LEL Gas Monitor detects, classifies, and compensates for more than 19 combustible gases, including xylene, hydrogen and hydrogen mixtures, natural gas, and light, medium, and heavy gas mixtures, making it suitable for monitoring numerous combustible gases, eliminating the need for multiple sensor installations.

This state-of-the-art gas detection solution, built with a 15+ year sensor, sets a new standard in precision and reliability. Engineered to provide unmatched performance, our MPS Flammable Gas Monitor delivers accurate readings for a wide range of combustible gases, making it ideal for complex industrial applications, including paint booths where safety and efficiency are paramount.

The MPS Monitor is housed in a corrosion and water-resistant NEMA 4 Explosion-Proof Enclosure certified for Class I & II locations, making it well-suited for the harshest environments, industrial paint booths, and any other locations where safety is a top priority.

PureAire’s MPS Flammable Gas Monitor meets or exceeds the requirements of industry standards, including OSHA guidelines for workplace safety, IECEx and ATEX certifications for explosive environments, and adherence to NIST traceability for accurate measurement and classification.

 

With over 25 years of experience in gas detection technology, PureAire provides trusted safety solutions for paint booths and other hazardous industrial workspaces. Learn more about our MPS Flammable LEL Gas Monitor on our website or at info@pureaire.net.

#PaintBoothSafety #FlammableGasDetection #CombustibleGasMonitoring #FireHazardPrevention #SprayBoothVentilation #OSHARegulations #NFPA33Compliance #GasDetectionSystems #IndustrialSafety #WorkplaceSafety

3D Metal Printing: Oxygen Analyzers Are Essential

 

Metal 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, provides for the creation of complex metal parts by layering metal powders and, depending on the application, selectively sintering, fusing, or melting the powders using a high-powered laser or electron beam. This process offers numerous advantages over traditional manufacturing methods, including reduced waste, increased design freedom to create complex components, and faster production times. The industry applications of metal 3D printing are vast and growing rapidly. Metal 3D printed components are used in aerospace (for lightweight components with complex designs), automotive (for customized parts and prototypes), medical (for implants and prosthetics), and even jewelry manufacturing. The ability to create intricate metal parts with high precision has opened up new possibilities across a variety of industries.

3D Metal Printing Requires Low to Ultra-Low Oxygen Environments

3D printing processes require inert, low to ultra-low oxygen (i.e., nearly oxygen-free) environments to protect the integrity of the finished printed parts. Undue exposure to oxygen, even in small amounts, can result in various defects, such as porosity, oxidation, corrosion, and reduced mechanical properties. Porosity refers to small voids or gaps within a printed part that can compromise its structural strength. Oxidation results in surface discoloration, weakened structural integrity, and compromised part performance. Reduced mechanical properties can result from brittleness or reduced tensile strength caused by excessive oxygen exposure. In addition, dust from the metal powders can be combustible when exposed to oxygen. Some metals, such as titanium and aluminum, can burn quickly, at extremely high temperatures and, in some cases, may cause violent explosions.

To create the desired low oxygen environments, 3D metal printing facilities utilize inert gases—typically argon or nitrogen—within their build chambers. These inert gases deplete oxygen from the build chambers, creating stable printing environments, preventing fire hazards by keeping combustible dust inert, and reducing irregularities and defective elements.

Oxygen Analyzers Help Prevent Product Impurities

Oxygen analyzers are critical to monitoring and regulating oxygen levels within the build chambers during 3D metal printing operations. By utilizing a top-quality oxygen analyzer, metal 3D printer operators are able to monitor and maintain optimal oxygen levels throughout the printing process. An O2 analyzer helps ensure that printed parts are free of imperfections and meet required design specifications. Analyzers continuously track oxygen levels to provide real-time data on oxygen concentration, allowing for immediate adjustments if necessary.

PureAire Trace Oxygen Analyzers

PureAire Monitoring Systems' industry-leading line of Trace Oxygen Analyzers includes products built with both low parts-per-million (ppm), or low percent level O2 sensors, which are designed to operate effectively under continuous inert environments. The Analyzers have remote sensors that are placed directly within the build chambers to continuously monitor oxygen levels.

Depending on user needs, our Trace Oxygen Analyzers can be programmed to detect ultra-low oxygen concentrations, from as low as .0.01 ppm up to 1,000 ppm, as well as higher (albeit still low) oxygen concentrations, from 0% up to 25%. They can operate in a vacuum of 20 Torr or less, and their zirconium oxide sensor cells do not need an oxygen reference gas for proper operation. In the event of undesired changes in oxygen levels, our Analyzers will sound alarms, alerting personnel to take corrective action.

PureAire's Trace Oxygen Analyzers measure oxygen 24/7, with no time-consuming maintenance required. Our long-lasting zirconium sensors provide accurate readings, without calibration, for up to 10 years.

Introducing PureAire Monitoring Systems latest product - the PureAire CloudConnect module

 

PureAire Monitoring Systems is excited to announce the launch of our latest offering—the PureAire CloudConnect module, provides for internet connectivity (with Cloud storage capabilities) for our full line of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Monitors, as well as our Toxic and LEL Combustible Gas Detectors. Our new CloudConnect module will send continuous gas concentration data to a secure Cloud storage space, and will provide immediate alarm and system information to customer-designated safety personnel via text, phone call, or email.

By utilizing the CloudConnect module, PureAire customers will be able to remotely monitor oxygen or other gas levels 24/7, and receive real-time alerts when gas concentration levels require attention, allowing them to identify and respond to potential safety concerns before accidents occur.

All monitoring data will be stored safely and securely in the Cloud, retrievable for viewing anytime, and configurable for compliance reporting.

Biorepository Safety

 

What is a Biorepository?

A biorepository, or "biobank",  is a specialized facility designed to store, archive, and distribute biological samples for research or clinical purposes. Biorepositories house biological samples, such as blood, plasma, urine, saliva, tissues, DNA, and organs, among other specimen types, collected from consenting individuals. Critical associated information, including relevant health information about the donor, is linked to the sample, given a unique identifier, and uploaded into a laboratory information management system. Scientists use samples stored in biorepositories to research diseases and develop new treatments, drugs, and vaccines, among other applications. Biorepositories provide secure environments that help ensure the integrity of the samples stored within, and allow researchers an efficient way to access the samples they need for their studies.

How are Biological Samples Stored?

Cryopreservation is the most commonly used method for freezing and storing biological samples.  This method most often uses liquid nitrogen (LN2) to achieve the ultra-low temperature necessary for cryopreservation, usually between -80°C and -196°C. Biorepositories use cryogenic freezers and LN2  to achieve and maintain the super-cold temperatures required for long-term sample storage.

Biorepositories must rely on a continuous supply of LN2 to ensure that samples stay fully frozen in order to preserve their integrity and usability. Liquid nitrogen is typically supplied through liquid nitrogen generators or bulk tanks located outside the facility, or from cryogenic cylinders or Dewar vessels located inside near the freezers.

Liquid Nitrogen Safety - Oxygen Monitors Can Reduce Risk

Cryopreservation ensures that the samples remain viable for future use. However, since LN2 is an oxygen-depleting gas that is both odorless and colorless, absent appropriate monitoring, biorepository personnel would be unable to detect a liquid nitrogen leak if one were to occur in a gas cylinder or supply line. When there is not enough oxygen in the air, persons working in the area can become disoriented, lose consciousness, or even suffocate from lack of oxygen. Additionally, a liquid nitrogen leak could lead to the loss of its super-cooling properties, causing the temperature to rise inside the freezer, possibly causing catastrophic damage to the biological samples.

As such, best practice calls for oxygen deficiency monitors to be installed anywhere there is a risk of nitrogen gas leaks. The National Institutes of Health’s Design Requirements Manual stipulates that, to warn of oxygen depletion, oxygen monitoring equipment is to be provided in freezer rooms and other rooms where cryogenic fluids (including liquid nitrogen) are supplied or stored.

PureAire Monitors

PureAire Monitoring Systems’ Oxygen Deficiency Monitors continuously track levels of oxygen and will detect liquid nitrogen leaks before freezer failure jeopardizes either the integrity of stored samples or employee health. Built with zirconium oxide sensor cells to ensure longevity, PureAire’s O2 Monitors can last, trouble-free, for over 10 years under normal operating conditions.  In the event of an LN2 gas leak, and a decrease in oxygen to an unsafe level, our Monitor will set off an alarm, complete with horns and flashing lights, alerting employees to evacuate the affected area.

The Oxygen Monitors should be placed wherever liquid nitrogen is stored, and in all rooms and areas where nitrogen is used.

PureAire Oxygen Monitors measure oxygen 24/7, with no time-consuming maintenance or calibration required.

Each PureAire O2 Monitor has an easy to read screen, which displays current oxygen levels, for at-a-glance readings by biorepository personnel, who derive peace of mind from the Monitor’s presence and reliability.

Sterilizing Medical Devices Using Ethylene Oxide

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48.3 million procedures were performed at hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in the United States in 2010. Healthcare providers and patient advocates understand that infection prevention requires meticulous sanitation and sterilization of all facilities, equipment, and instruments used in surgery settings. According to the World Health Organization, post-operative infections contribute to patients’ spending extra days in the hospital, at a cost of some $900 million per year. Medical devices that are sterilized to eliminate potentially harmful pathogens and microorganisms are critical to delivering safe and cost-effective patient outcomes.

Medical Device Sterilization

Sterilization is to thoroughly clean and disinfect medical and surgical devices in order to prevent infection by killing any microorganisms (i.e., bacteria, viruses, or fungi) that might otherwise be present in the devices, and that could pose significant risks to patients.

There are a variety of sterilization methodologies in use in the healthcare industry (including, among others, steam under pressure/autoclave, dry heat, ultraviolet radiation, and gas vapors), and the most effective sterilization process in a given situation may depend on the specific type of device subject to sterilization. That is, sterilization of medical and surgical devices works best when proper techniques are used on the appropriate devices.

By way of example, high-temperature steam autoclave is the oldest sterilization technique in the medical equipment industry, and it is extremely safe, but it is not well-suited for instruments that are sensitive to prolonged exposure to heat and/or moisture. For instance, the buildup of water droplets (as a result of high-temperature steam autoclave sterilization) inside device components can corrode materials that should not be exposed to water. Likewise, instruments with plastic or electronic components could become damaged when exposed to high temperatures and steam

Sterilization Using Ethylene Oxide Gas

The use of ethylene oxide gas (EtO) has become a practical alternative to medical device sterilization via steam autoclave.

EtO was first used as a chemical sterilant in the 1950s and, since then, low-temperature EtO gas sterilization has become one of the more commonly used sterilization methods in the healthcare industry.  According to the Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Association, ethylene oxide is used to sterilize over 20 billion medical devices each year in the U.S., representing over 50% of the medical devices and nearly 90% of the surgical kits used by the healthcare industry.

EtO is a preferred sterilization method in large part because, given its low-temperature application, it will not damage medical equipment, complex implantable devices, surgical kits, and other instruments that require sterilization. Ethylene oxide has a wide range of material compatibility; it is suitable for use on materials that cannot tolerate heat, moisture, or abrasive chemicals, such as electronics, plastic, paper, and rubber, and the gas can penetrate small spaces inside the devices, and can even sterilize  medical instruments that have  already been packaged in plastic.

Protecting Employees Working in EtO Device Sterilization Environments

While ethylene oxide sterilization is widely used in sterilizing medical and surgical devices, there are concerns about the potential negative effects on employees working with EtO, since personnel and property are exposed to the possibility of leaks from gas supply lines and storage containers. Long-term exposure to ethylene oxide can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and harm the brain and nervous system, and it has been linked to cancer.

Ethylene oxide is a highly combustible, flammable, and colorless gas that has a sweet, ether-like odor at toxic levels. However, the odor’s presence and strength cannot be relied upon to ensure safety; therefore, absent appropriate monitoring to detect that a leak or an or an accumulation of ethylene oxide has occurred, sterilization employees could face serious health risks from working in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas.

Best practices when working with EtO include, but not limited to, the use of goggles, protective clothing, and the installation of gas monitoring systems. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing gas detection monitors in all areas where EtO is used. According to the NFPA, the gas monitors should provide audible and visual warnings to indicate when concentrations of ethylene oxide exceed a level of 25% of the lower limit of flammability of ethylene oxide. Furthermore, the gas detection system should automatically shut off the flow of gas and automatically turn on the buildings’ ventilation system.

PureAire Monitors

PureAire Monitoring System's ST-48 Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Combustible Gas Monitor offers continuous gas monitoring at medical sterilization facilities. The monitor is housed in a NEMA 7 explosion proof enclosure specifically designed to prevent an explosion and suitable for Class 1, Divisions 1 & 2, Groups A,B, C, and D.

PureAire’s EtO Combustible Gas Monitor features an easy to read screen, whichdisplays current gas levels for at-a-glance observation by employees, who derive peace of mind from the monitor’s presence and reliable performance. In the event that ethylene oxide reaches an unsafe level, PureAire’s monitors will set offalarms, complete with horns and flashing lights, alerting personnel to evacuate the area. At the same time, the monitors can be programmed to turn off the flow of gas, and turn on the ventilation system.