ABSTRACT

Aeration is needed because ethylene oxide becomes trapped in rubber and certain plastics and is toxic to mammalian cells. Time is allowed after sterilization for the molecule to diffuse from exposed materials. iii. Chemical indicators show a color change after exposure to a minimum concentration of ethylene oxide. They do not indicate gas exposure for the required sterilization time, and are best used as a sign of exposure to ethylene oxide, and not a marker of sterilization.