Lawrence, Subscription Publication reported that ethylene oxide, “the chemical used to sterilize half of all medical devices in the United States, is also known to cause cancer.” Now, “after years of deliberating on alternatives,” the FDA “this month deemed a safer gas, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, a legitimate way to decontaminate devices.” Environmental activists commend the move but “want the FDA to more adamantly push device makers toward alternatives, which the FDA’s endorsement does not do.” FDA Deputy Director of Tech Innovation Aftin Ross said that the FDA requires manufacturers to sterilize their devices but does “not prescribe how” they do so.
MedTech Intelligence reported that to help the transition away from using elthylene oxide in sterilization of medical devices, the FDA is hosting town hall discussions on the issue. The second of these discussions, “FDA Activities and Challenges in Reducing Reliance on Ethylene Oxide,” will be held on Jan. 26 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET.
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