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Got A Better Idea? US FDA Seeks Help Tackling Ethylene Oxide Troubles

Regulators are reaching out to industry and the public-at-large for ideas that would help develop new sterilization methods that could reduce or replace the need for ethylene oxide used to treat difficult-to-clean medical devices. They are also looking for ways to reduce the risk and environmental impact of the sterilizing agent.

Room for sterilizing instruments in a modern clinic. Surgery, operating room. - Image

While American public-health officials continue to grapple with potential medical device shortages after a major ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization facility closed this year, regulators are asking for help coming up with new methods and technologies to reduce reliance on, and emissions of, the toxic chemical.

On 15 July, the US Food and Drug Administration announced two innovation challenges to help solve its EtO dilemma, which has been a headache for the agency after medical device sterilization facilities using

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