Professional opinion

Dr. Eli Stern

Objectives

To quantitatively assess the risks, both potential and actual risks from the past, to members of the public who live near hospitals which use ethylene oxide to sterilize non-disposable medical equipment that cannot be sterilized by other methods. Ethylene oxide is categorized as a carcinogen that requires tremendous caution when being used. Risk assessments were carried out for emissions of the substance at varying altitudes, including an analysis of engineering and procedural safety precautions and the possibility of their application.

Implications /Applications

Recommendation and guidelines from the report were adopted and implemented in many hospitals around the country.

Status

The report was submitted to the Ministry of Health in the Spring of 2005.

Financing organization

Ministry of Health - Self

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