Read the full text: Effects of Non Condensable Gases on Sterilization
Summary:
A gravity displacement (class N) steam sterilization process can not reliably remove gases from hollow or porous items, resulting in areas that do not get sterilized, and the failure of the load. They should not be used for body jewelry, needles, tattoo tubes or textiles.
REVIEW
395 CENTRAL SERVICE Volume 13 2005
ZENTRAL STERILISATION
Effects of Non-Condensable Gases (NCGs) on Steam Sterilisation Processes
U. Kaiser
Keywords
- steam sterilisation process
- non-condensable gases (NCGs)
- process challenge device (PCD)
Introduction
The dangers posed by non-condensable gases (NCGs) in steam sterilisation processes have long been underestimated. Biological indicators, or the best chemical indicators on the market, do not signal the presence of a NCG content of up to 10% in a sterilisation process so long as there is mixing of steam and NCGs in the sterilisation chamber.