| Agent Name |
Ethylene oxide |
|---|
| CAS Number |
75-21-8 |
|---|
| Formula |
C2-H4-O |
|---|
| Major Category |
Pesticides |
|---|
| Synonyms |
Dimethylene oxide; 1,2-Epoxy ethane; Oxirane; [NIOSH] |
|---|
| Category |
Fumigants |
|---|
| Description |
Colorless gas or liquid (below 51 degrees F) with an ether-like odor; [NIOSH] |
|---|
| Sources/Uses |
Ethylene oxide sterilizers are used by medical and dental staff to sterilize heat-sensitive instruments. [p. 736, Harber] Occupational asthma from ethylene oxide has been reported in a nurse. [Malo] |
|---|
| Comments |
Acute inhalation injuries result from exposures between 200 and 400 ppm. At higher concentrations, ethylene oxide (EtO) may cause neurological dysfunction. Chronic effects of exposure include reproductive toxicity and peripheral neuropathy. [LaDou, p. 456-8] The most common skin effects are irritation and second degree burns, but allergic contact dermatitis has been reported. [Sullivan, p. 1135] Healthcare workers performing EtO sterilization may develop cataracts. Highest exposures occurred during unloading (especially when the sterilization cycle was interrupted) and during cylinder changing. [J Occup Environ Med 1999 Jun;41(6):492-9] Listed as one of "major irritant airborne toxicants"; [LaDou, p. 547] There is limited positive data that EtO causes spontaneous abortions in humans and birth defects and testicular damage in experimental animals. [ATSDR Case Studies #29] [Ethylene oxide allergy in dialysis patients. Purello D'Ambrosio F, et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1997 Jul;12(7):1461-3.] [Airborne occupational contact dermatitis from ethylene oxide. Romaguera C, et al. Contact Dermatitis. 1998 Aug;39(2):85.] Liquid causes second degree burns after contact for a few minutes. [CHRIS] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] |
|---|
| Reference Link |
OSHA Technical Links: Ethylene Oxide |
|---|
| Exposure Assessment |
|---|
| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
|---|
| TIH |
Yes |
|---|
| TLV (ACGIH) |
1 ppm |
|---|
| PEL (OSHA) |
1 ppm, STEL(OSHA) = 5 ppm |
|---|
| IDLH (NIOSH) |
800 ppm |
|---|
| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Reports of effects in humans include: nasal irritation after exposures to 12,500 ppm for 10 sec. Acute studies in animals have shown: death after exposure > 8000 ppm for 10 min.; no apparent injuries after exposure to 4000 ppm for 30 min., 2000 ppm for 60 min., or 500 ppm for 1 hr. |
|---|
| Odor Threshold Low |
257 ppm |
|---|
| Odor Threshold High |
690 ppm |
|---|
| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 800 ppm/4H |
|---|
| Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 420 ppm); |
|---|
| Half Life |
No reports found; [TDR, p. 694] |
|---|
| Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management - Ethylene oxide |
|---|
| Flammability (NFPA) |
4: burns readily |
|---|
| Adverse Effects |
|---|
| Asthma |
Yes |
|---|
| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
|---|
| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
|---|
| Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
|---|
| Neurotoxin |
Sensorimotor Neuropathy |
|---|
| Hepatotoxin |
Hepatotoxin, Secondary |
|---|
| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
|---|
| IARC Carcinogen |
Known Carcinogen |
|---|
| Links to Other NLM Databases |
|---|
| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: ETHYLENE OXIDE
|
|---|
|
|
