Highly advanced abatement and monitoring systems to enable recycling and reuse of ethylene oxide (EtO) and reduce costs while ensuring regulatory compliance

Advanced Sterilization Technology Inc. (AST) has selected Picarro Inc. to provide a comprehensive solution that facilitates the recycling, and reuse of ethylene oxide (EtO) while ensuring compliance with stringent emissions regulations. The AST BOAZ cryogenic abatement and reclamation system captures and converts gaseous EtO back into 100% liquid EtO, while Picarro’s advanced systems monitor emissions in and around sterilisation facilities. Together, these technologies support effective emissions control and regulatory compliance.

The BOAZ system has operated at four pallet sterilisers in Taiwan for over two years and has demonstrated a 90% recovery rate of gaseous EtO. This efficiency level translates into substantial financial savings, reducing capital equipment costs, operating expenses, and overall EtO emissions control expenditures. Denny Christensen, CEO of AST’s newly established U.S. sales operations, emphasised the impact of this technological amalgamation, “By integrating Picarro’s ultra-sensitive EtO monitoring systems with our BOAZ, we can give mutual customers additional confidence in their ability to streamline process optimisation and compliance.”

With globally increasing regulatory scrutiny and evolving emissions control requirements, in this case under US EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the sterilisation industry must adopt advanced emissions management solutions. By integrating Picarro’s industrial VOC monitoring technology, AST is driving much-needed innovation in the sterilisation sector, providing reliable solutions to meet emerging regulatory challenges.

The AST BOAZ system presents multiple advantages for facilities using pure EtO for medical device sterilisation. By recovering 90% of the EtO gas from sterilisation processes, the system significantly reduces the overall cost of EtO usage and capital equipment for emissions control. Reducing daily operational costs associated with emissions control further enhances the system's economic viability. Additionally, the dramatic decrease in EtO emissions alters the regulatory landscape for compliance with (EPA and other) global standards, reducing environmental impact and operational burdens for sterilisation providers.

Picarro’s suite of EtO emissions management solutions complements AST’s technological advancements, allowing sterilisation operators to prioritise their core business activities while ensuring regulatory compliance. Picarro provides exact, interference-free detection, analysis, and reporting of EtO emissions through workplace, fenceline, and Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS). The company also offers expert regulatory guidance, helping facilities navigate the ever-evolving legal requirements. End-to-end support services mitigate operational risks, prevent costly downtime, and ensure sterilisation facilities constantly adhere to emissions regulations.

As global demand for effective and sustainable sterilisation solutions grows, the collaboration between Picarro and AST represents a significant step forward in addressing environmental and regulatory challenges. Integrating BOAZ and Picarro technologies offers a streamlined approach to EtO emissions management, enabling global sterilisation providers to meet current and future compliance requirements efficiently and effectively.