Ethylene Oxide - EO

Ethylene oxide & E.T.O. (E.O + co2) gas mixture

EO is bactericidal, sporicidal, and virucidal, and has been widely used as a low-temperature sterilant since the 1950s. EO is a colorless gas that is flammable and explosive.

EO’s microbicidal activity is a result of alkylation of proteins, DNA, and RNA in microorganisms, which prevents normal cellular metabolism and replication and thus renders affected microbes nonviable. EO’s high reactivity in combination with high diffusivity plays a major role in the inactivation of microorganisms.

In EO sterilization process, the major factors that affect the lethality of sterilization include EO concentration, temperature, humidity, and exposure time. The bioburden reduction increases with the increase of EO concentration, exposure time, and temperature. Humidity is another critical variable in EO sterilization. In the range of 30–90% humidity, the humidity does not have significant impact on lethality, and sterilization efficacy decreases markedly below 30 and above 90%. The commonly used operational ranges for EO concentration, temperature, humidity, and exposure time are 450–1200 mg L, 29–65°C, 45–85%, and 2–5 h, respectively.

We providers of packaged ethylene oxide (C2H4O),is normally available in cylinders in pure form, and blended - most commonly with carbon dioxide.  Packaged ethylene oxide and blends are used in a range of industries and applications including

Industrial Applications

Chemicals:  Ethylene oxide is used as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. This application often needs extremely high volumes, however in cases where lower volumes are needed, we can offer appropriate supply solutions.

Medical: Ethylene oxide is used by the majority of customers as a sterilant. There are two major markets for sterilants, medical sterilisation and food sterilisation (nuts, spices etc.). Ethylene oxide gas as a biocidal product kills bacteria, mould, and fungi and can therefore be used to sterilise substances that would be damaged by sterilising techniques such as pasteurisation that rely on heat. Therefore it is widely used to sterilise medical supplies such as bandages, sutures, and surgical implements.