Honeywell Announces Phase-out of Oxyfume Ethylene Oxide Sterilant Blends

Honeywell announces that it is phasing out its line of Oxyfume® ethylene oxide sterilant blends, primarily used to sterilize hospital and laboratory equipment, 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. Current and former Oxyfume customers are encouraged to search their facilities for unused cylinders now and contact Honeywell for cylinder return information. Honeywell will not be able to receive any cylinders after production ceases by the end of 2013.

A new website, www.honeywell-sterilants.com, provides customers and users with critical information they need to plan for the phaseout. The website offers resources that can help customers identify unused Oxyfume cylinders in their facility, as well as information on how to return them.

The time to act is now and customers who find unused Oxyfume cylinders should contact Honeywell today for cylinder return information, says Jeff Czarnecki, global business director for Honeywells Healthcare and Packaging business. Even if customers are no longer using Oxyfume for their sterilization needs, they should verify they are no longer in possession of cylinders by checking loading docks and other storage areas.

Honeywell noted that it can cost more than $1,000 per cylinder to dispose of unused cylinders that are deemed hazardous waste.

Honeywell will be able to receive Oxyfume 2002 and Oxyfume 2000 cylinders for recycling until production ceases by the end of 2013. Oxyfume 12, a CFC-based product that was phased out in 1995, cannot be received by Honeywell. Current and former customers should contact Honeywell for information on how to handle these cylinders.

Oxyfume ethylene oxide sterilant blends have been widely used by hospitals, laboratories and medical device manufacturers for more than 40 years. It is estimated that more than 70 percent of hospitals in the United States have used the product in their sterilization facilities.