1.   All the bone collected by the company is sent out for further processing and routine sterilization using ethylene oxide gas, Dorey said.

2.   Finally, the devices are packaged and sterilized with ethylene oxide gas, the same method that the device makers use.

3.   If tests show that parts of the structure are still contaminated after the current cleanup effort is completed, officials might reconsider using the chlorine oxide gas.

4.   The best sterilization methods are steam, ethylene oxide gas, dry heat and chemical germicides.

5.   The gas is normally formed by the breakup of oxygen molecules exposed to sunlight in the presence nitrogen oxide gases.