Honeywell has provided Oxyfume® sterilant products of ethylene oxide sterilant blends to the hospitals around the world. Under U.S. EPA Clean Air Act, effective Dev. 31, 2014, HCFC- based products such as Oxyfume 2000 cannot be manufactured, sold, or used in the U.S. So they plan to end production of Oxyfume sterilant products by the end of 2013. They’ve already stopped production of Oxyfume 12 in Dec. 31, 1995, will stop providing Oxyfume 2002 by the end of 2013 to the outside of the U.S.(Oxyfume 2002 had already stopped in the U.S. in Dec.31, 2009, and Oxyfume 2000 will be stopped manufacturing by the end of 2013. The hospitals using Oxyfume series should check their shelves, basements, storage areas, etc, whether they still have forgotten cylinders. Or once Honeywell ceases production, it will no longer be able to accept any Oxyfume cylinders for recycling, and as of December 31, 2014, these cylinders may become hazardous waste. The disposal costs alone may exceed $1,000 per cylinder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HCFC(hydrochlorofluorocarbons) has been known as Ozone depletion chemicals. HCFC has been a main part of Ethylene Oxide Gas Blends for EtO Gas sterilizers. However, because of ozone layer depletion, use of HCFCs started to be prohibited worldwide(some- already, some-gradually by 2030 or 2040).
Many hospitals are using 100% Ethylene oxide gas using EtO gas sterilizers. But, ethylene oxide gas has also known as human carcinogen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
