Sterilizing Gas Mixtures/Semi-Auto Switch Gas
ETO sterilizing gas mixture is used in healthcare facilities to sterilize critical items (and sometimes semi-critical items) which are moisture or heat sensitive and cannot be sterilized by steam sterilization. The use of ETO evolved when there are some alternatives which can sterilize heat and moisture-sensitive medical devices; however, favorable properties account for its continued widespread use. The ETO-carbon dioxide (CO₂) mixture consists of ETO and CO₂. The ETO rate varied from 10% to 30%, this mixture is less expensive than ETO-hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and safe than pure Ethylene oxide.