Ethylene chlorohydrin formation in radiation- and ethylene oxide-sterilized poly(vinyl chloride).

Published reports on the formation of ethylene chlorohydrin in ethylene oxide-sterilized poly(vinyl chloride) are contradictory. The present paper discusses parameters involved in the ethylene chlorohydrin formation, such as the stabilizer system, plasticizer content and thermal strain during manufacture. It is shown that ethylene chlorohydrin can be formed in ethylene oxide-sterilized poly(vinyl chloride) previously sterilized by irradiation, in amounts dramatically exceeding published 'safe levels'.