Roupcova P., Lepik P., Jankuj V., Bernatik A., 2025, Risk Analysis for Ethylene Oxide used for Sterilization - A Case Study, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 116, 565-570.
Ethylene oxide (ETO) constitutes a hazardous chemical entity, characterized as a colorless gas with properties of toxicity, carcinogenicity, and ecotoxicity. This chemical also presents a significant risk of forming explosive mixtures when combined with air or other oxidizing agents. The article delineates a selection of incidents and accidents occurring in companies where+ ETO is operationally implemented. A case study is conducted to investigate the risks associated with an enterprise employing ETO as a sterilization technology, where storage and transportation of ETO also occur. The identification of primary accident risk sources is performed utilizing the Purple Book CPR 18E selection method. Human health impacts are evaluated using the dispersion model ALOHA 5.4.7. The objective of this contribution is to assess the risk of ETO within the company and to propose recommendations aimed at mitigating the risks associated with severe accidents.
