Package Sterilization

Total package porosity, which is a function of gas flow and surface area, is critical to the sterilization and aeration phases of Ethylene Oxide (EtO) gas sterilization processes. Whether designing a port, the size of a secondary label, or optimizing a cycle, there is no generic answer for all packages and types. The general rule, of course, is that more porosity is better. In other words, as the porosity increases, cycle and aeration times can be reduced, and a smaller porous area may be sufficient. However, all are package, product, and cycle dependent. Without knowing the details of a specific application, it is hard to predict the required porosity of an individual package design.