What are the devices/materials that are not compatible to Ethylene Oxide sterilizers?

Alka

Ethylene oxide is a 'surface sterilant.' Therefore, it cannot be used to sterilize anything with a sealed cavity or where there is not direct access to the surfaces that require sterilization. You cannot use it to sterilize anything sealed in a non-permeable container: vials, foil pouches, wet packs... Also, it cannot sterilize liquids, nor wet surfaces. Since ethylene oxide is a gas, and is often used at twice its boiling point, it is very effective at penetrating tight fitting parts such as getting by the rubber stopper on the plunger of a syringe. You need to be careful with anything that has a high content of salts, especially chlorine ions, as these will react to form chlorohydrins (which are toxic). There is quite a lot of information on the Internet regarding the versatility of ethylene oxide as a sterilant.

Paul J. Sordellini