In August 2012, Honeywell announced that it is phasing out its line of Oxyfume® ethylene oxide sterilant blends by the end of 2013. The phaseout is in response to U.S. Clean Air Act regulations that will ban the sale and use of most HCFC-based products like Oxyfume in the United States as of Dec. 31, 2014 (Reference http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/phaseout/classtwo.html).
Honeywell has established a website http://www.honeywell-sterilants.com/ to assist their customers which we recommend you visit.
EO B.I.E.R. Test Systems manufactured before 1995 are likely operating with the current sterilant blend, Oxyfume 2000, which is the combination of 8.6% EO gas with 91.4% HCFC-124. Without an EO gas source, your test system is in effect – obsolete. If you have not already begun, you should start planning now. The clock is ticking, will you be ready?
If you wish to continue to operate your existing EO B.I.E.R. Test System, there is an option. Loucks & Associates can upgrade your system to use a single-dose cartridge which contains 100 grams of 100% ethylene oxide. For more information regarding these 100% EO cartridges, customers are encouraged to research the Steris EnvirosystemsTM and 3MTM Steri-GasTM products.
®Oxyfume is a registered trademark of Honeywell International Inc.
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