Montrose has formed a global collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, to provide real time ethylene oxide (EtO) monitoring solutions to meet recently proposed EPA standards.

Montrose and Thermo Fisher have partnered to provide MAX-iAQ™ Optically Enhanced (OE) FTIR (StarBoost™) continuous monitoring systems. The MAX-iAQ™ OE-FTIR is a fully automated air monitoring solution for low-level detection of EtO, even in high humidity environments. It can quantify EtO to a detection limit of 1 ppb using the advanced StarBoost™ technology while maintaining short cycle times. It is also designed to operate as a continuous monitor with little to no user interaction.

Through this agreement, Montrose and Thermo Scientific will combine the expert field services of Montrose Environmental’s Sensible Environmental Data Platform with Thermo Scientific’s MAX-iAQ™ OE-FTIR (StarBoost™) technology to provide Indoor Air Quality monitoring systems (iAQ) and stack Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (EMS-10). These technologies provide various industries the solution to meet recently proposed EPA regulations regarding ethylene oxide.

Using a technology with lower detection limits prevents the over-reporting of emissions when stack concentrations are below 50 ppb. Not only does the performance of the iAQ and EMS-10 OE-FTIR systems exceed the US EPA standards for EtO, but the system's flexibility and sensitivity make it easier to adapt to shifting regulations, such as the proposed changes to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for sterilization facilities and chemical plants (40 CFR Part 63) as well as the Proposed Interim Decision (PID) for sterilization facilities.

The EPA has recently issued 3 focused proposals addressing the reduction of EtO Emissions from chemical plants and commercial sterilizers, and reducing risk to workers in the sterilization industry. This groundbreaking partnership brings a turnkey solution to market, meeting the needs of industry to monitor EtO at extremely low levels. Our combined solution offers best in class technology and field expertise to meet the increasing standards and regulations issued by the EPA.

Continuous Emissions Monitoring

The EMS-10 system can quantify 10-100+ compounds down to single digit ppb while maintaining short cycle times, using advanced FTIR spectral analysis and Thermo Scientific™ StarBoost™ Technology. This makes the EMS-10 an ideal alternative to traditional gas chromatograph-based systems that are typically slower, less sensitive, and more costly to maintain.

Comparing Ethylene Oxide Monitoring Solutions

Comparing Optically-Enhanced Fourier Transform Infrared (OE-FTIR) Spectroscopy vs. Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) system:

The Thermo Scientific™ MAX-iR™ OE-FTIR Gas Analyzers, combined with Montrose Sensible Environmental Data Platform (EDP), create the only total solution that fully meets customer needs and helps them to comply with ease to the proposed ethylene oxide NESHAP* and PID**.