Abstract
Introduction: Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is a colorless flammable, gas or liquid. In the health care setting, EtO is commonly used for sterilizing heat- and moisture-sensitive medical equipment to prevent health-care associated infections. Aim of work: To assess the Ethylene Oxide (EtO) occupational exposure and work practices among the EtO sterilization workers. Materials and methods: This study included 28 hospital EtO sterilization workers and 32 controls, all of them filled self-administered questionnaire including questions on their demographic characteristics, work experience, and associated symptoms with special attention to pulmonary, digestive, neurologic, hematologic, reproductive, dermatologic and ophthalmologic symptoms. Liver, kidney and ventilatory function tests were carried out for all participants. Work practices of the EtO sterilization workers were assessed. Moreover, EtO 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) and short term 15 minutes personal monitoring were measured. Results: Both 8- hour TWA and short term 15 minutes personal monitoring of the EtO sterilization workers were below the OSHA recommended EtO levels and proper work practices were followed by the workers but 30% of them were not fit tested for respirators use. The study revealed insignificant difference between the EtO sterilization workers and the controls concerning clinical symptoms, liver, kidney and ventilatory function tests. However, the mean of the white blood cells and the lymphocytes absolute numbers were higher among EtO sterilization workers compared to that of the controls, but within the normal range. Conclusion: Routine monitoring of EtO sterilizers; training, proper work practices and periodic medical evaluation of the EtO sterilization workers are important preventive measures to protect them from the harmful effects of EtO. Further research is recommended to study the health effects of EtO exposure at levels below the OSHA 8-hour TWA for EtO
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