Ethylene oxide is a colorless gas, with a characteristic odor at high levels. Ethylene oxide is mainly measured in containers with medical goods. The link between ethylene oxide and medical equipment is clear because the medical goods are mostly sterilized with ethylene oxide before being packaged for shipment. The evaporation on of ethylene oxide takes place during transport and the concentration on builds up in the container the entire trip. The consequence of this situatioon, is that the containers may contain high concentrations of ethylene oxide at arrival. The degassing period of the containers containing ethylene oxide is often higher than the average degassing time of other substances. The reason for this, lies in the evaporation on of the packages. As long as the products contain traces of ethylene oxide, evaporation on will always take continue.
Dangers
Acute inhalation hazard: A dangerous concentration in the air can be reached very quickly by evaporation.
Method of exposure: The substance can be absorbed in the body by inhalation and skin contact.
One-time or short-term exposure: Due to rapidly evaporating liquid may cause frostbite. The substance is corrosive to eyes,
skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation of very fine aerosol particles can cause lung edema. In severe cases (high levels) even fatal.
Repeated and / or prolonged exposure: May affect the liver, kidneys and nervous-system. Skin contact can cause damage by eczema. The substance is considered carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR). It can damage the hereditary characteristics, may reduce malefertility and may pose damage to the unborn child.
Our Possibilities
Ventilated trailers
Containers that are difficult to degasify or when there is a great urgency for goods in containers that have been rejected, we can unload with respiratory protection and deliver them in specially ventilated trailers. This transport can be carried out to any location in the Netherlands, but also outside our borders. In this way, you have quick access to your goods in a safe way.
Unpacking and repacking
There is also the option to repack the goods or remove dunnage. These measures can help achieve a better result in the gas measurement. Regardless of the method used or the type of gas present in your container, the Gas Measurement Station always looks for the most suitable solution to make your products gas-free as quickly as possible.
The total package at GMS
A–Z solutions
We prepare a tailored action plan for you, in which the entire process is defined: from the safe unloading of the container and carrying out operations in our warehouse using personal protective equipment, to transferring the goods into a specially ventilated trailer and final delivery at the unloading address.
