Residual formaldehyde in steam-formaldehyde sterilized materials.
The amounts of residual formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde present in polymeric materials after steam-formaldehyde sterilization in a commercial sterilizer were determined. Appreciable amounts of residue were detected in ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyamide-6 (PA-6) and natural rubber (NR). These polymers all have a relatively low contact angle with water which indicated that the wettability of a material is an important parameter in determining amount of residue. The residue present in EVOH and in PA-6,6 filter material appeared to be toxic in the HFL-test (a screening test for acute toxicity). This indicated that a more thorough investigation into the possible toxicological consequences of the use of some steam-formaldehyde sterilized materials is necessary.
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers / Q000633:toxicity; D013227:Steam; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D013227:Steam; D005557:Formaldehyde; C003043:paraform