The gas is critical for cleaning medical equipment, but it can be hazardous at elevated levels and is increasingly being scrutinized by state health and environmental officials. The FDA urged hospitals to inventory their supplies and alert government officials if they face major shortages. But the oxide gas is the only method for cleaning many devices made from plastic, metal or glass, according to the FDA. Earlier this year, Illinois authorities closed a large plant owned by sterilization company Sterigenics after detecting high outdoor levels of the gas. Another Sterigenics plant in Georgia has been closed for maintenance since August after state officials detected potentially dangerous emissions at the Atlanta facility.

Source: ABC News October 25, 2019 20:08 UTC