Physico-chemical and toxicologo-hygienic aspects of using ethylene oxide for the sterilization of medical appliances. Part I. Sorption and diffusion of ethylene oxide in polymeric materials.

Sorption ability of polymeric materials for medical purposes was studied with respect to the sterilizing gas - ethylene oxide - at 23, 35 and 55 degrees C. Sorption coefficients of ethylene oxide (EO) for the materials under study were calculated on the basis of results. Investigation of the kinetics of desorption of EO from the polymeric materials for medical purposes has shown that its content changes exponentially depending on the time of degassing.

[Diffusion of ethylene oxide in polymer materials intended for medical use].

Kinetics of ethylene oxide desorption from medical polymers at temperatures of 25, 35 and 55 degrees C over the wide range of concentration values is studied. The content of ethylene oxide in the material has been shown to vary exponentially depending on decontaminating time. However, (formula; see text) plots have a sharp inflection which indicates the change in the mechanism of the process determining the nature of the above relationship.