Management of toxic substances: sterilization sector
Sterilization applications are major contributors to point source releases of ethylene oxide and other toxic substances in Canada. For example, ethylene oxide, alone or in combination with other inert gases is used in the healthcare sector to sterilize various instruments and by other industries to sterilize heat sensitive goods. Although sterilization does not represent a major use of ethylene oxide in terms of volumes consumed, it is a significant source of release to the environment. To reduce emissions from the sterilization sector, Environment Canada has published Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Releases from Sterilization Applications. These Guidelines recommend various methods for reducing ethylene oxide releases to the environment, such as the installation of pollution control equipment to treat releases during the sterilization cycle and during aeration. These Guidelines came into effect on January 1st, 2007.