Tube - Ethylene Oxide 1/a (5) | Draeger

This detector tube is designed specifically for measuring the concentration of ethylene oxide (EtO) gas in air. It belongs to the “Short-term Tubes” product line of Dräger, which are glass vials filled with a chemical reagent that produces a colour change in the presence of a particular gas or vapour.

Key Specifications

• Measuring Range: 1 to 15 parts per million (ppm) — this is the range over which the tube is calibrated.

• Number of Tests per Box: The product is typically supplied as 5 tests per box (i.e., 5 tubes) for this version.

• Response Time: Approximately 8 minutes for the measurement to complete.

• Strokes: Requires 20 pump strokes (when used with the Dräger Accuro bellows pump) to draw the calibrated volume of air (100 mL) through the tube.

• Ambient Conditions: Recommended temperature range is around 10 °C to 30 °C; humidity from 3 to 15 mg H₂O/L.

• Colour Change Indication: The reagent in the tube changes colour (from white to pink) when ethylene oxide is present.

• Cross-Sensitivity / Interferences: Some other chemicals such as styrene, vinyl acetate and acetaldehyde may cause yellowish-brown discoloration, and the presence of ethylene glycol or formaldehyde may interfere with the measurement because they produce the same discolouration reaction.

Principle of Operation

• The tube is used together with a manual bellows pump (e.g., Dräger Accuro) to draw a pre-calibrated 100 mL air sample through the reagent inside the glass vial.

• As the sample passes through the tube, the reagent reacts with ethylene oxide; the extent (length) of the reagent colour change is proportional to the gas concentration and can be read off the printed scale on the tube.

• This provides a spot measurement (instant, short-term) rather than continuous monitoring. It is suitable for checking exposure peaks, leaks, or confined-space air quality.

Advantages & Considerations

Advantages

• Quick and easy to use with minimal equipment (just the pump + tube).

• Portable and field-friendly — suitable for on-site spot checks.

• Direct read-out without needing complex instrumentation.

• Broad compatibility: part of the Dräger short-term tubes system which supports 500+ gases and vapours.

Considerations

• Because it is a spot measurement, it gives a snapshot rather than continuous monitoring — repeated measurements may be needed for trend/averaging.

• Interferences as noted: presence of certain substances may affect accuracy or cause false indications. Users must be aware of environment and potential cross-sensitivity.

• The stated accuracy (standard deviation) is moderate: e.g., ±20–30% reported for this tube.

• Storage, handling and user technique matter (accurate number of strokes, correct sample volume, correct ambient conditions) to ensure reliable results.

• Shelf-life and expiry should be checked (though specific shelf-life for this tube isn’t explicitly stated in the sources I found; many Dräger tubes have ~2 years but subject to storage conditions)