Testing Information

Testing Status of Agents at NTP

Ethylene oxide

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http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/TS-10020-A

CASRN: 75-21-8

Formula: C2-H4-O

Synonyms/Common Names:

  • OXIRANE (9CI)

Known Uses:

ACCELERATES RIPENING IN FRUIT AND MATURING OF TOBACCO LEAVES. FUNGISTAT. ROCKET PROPELLANT. FUMIGANT FOR FOODSTUFFS AND TEXTILES. ORGANIC SYNTHESIS. STERILIZE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS. CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATE. (TDB)

Short-Term Toxicity

  • 14-Day (Inhalation)  (C50088) Completed 
    • NTIS No. PB88-169859  (Peer Review 08/19/1986)
      Citation: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Ethylene Oxide (CAS No. 75-21-8) in B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies)
    • Mice: B6C3F1
  • 13-Week (Inhalation)  (C50088) Completed 
    • NTIS No. PB88-169859  (Peer Review 08/19/1986)
      Citation: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Ethylene Oxide (CAS No. 75-21-8) in B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies)
    • Mice: B6C3F1
    • Dose: 0,50,100,200,400,600 PPM/10 PER GROUP

Long-Term Carcinogenicity

  • 2-YEAR (Inhalation)  (C50088) Report Complete 
    • TR-326 (NTIS No. PB88-169859)  (Peer Review 08/19/1986)
      Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Ethylene Oxide (CAS No. 75-21-8) in B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies)
    • Mice: B6C3F1
    • Carcinogenesis Results
      • Male Mice Clear Evidence 
      • Female Mice Clear Evidence 
    • Dose: 0,50,100 PPM/50 PER GROUP

Organ Systems Toxicity

  • Biochemical Specific Locus  (BSLM38) Completed 
    • Citation: Lewis, S.E., Barnett, L.B., Felton, C., Johnson, F.M., Skow, L.C., Cacheiro, N., and Shelby, M.D. Dominant visible and electrophoretically expressed mutations induced in male mice exposed to ethylene oxide by inhalation. Environ. Mutagen. 8:867-872 (1986).
    • M Mice: DBA/2J
    • Mice Male Positive 
  • Dominant Lethal (Female)  (DLF023) Completed 
    • Citation: Generoso, W.M., Cain, K.T., Hughes, L.A., and Foxworth, L. Concentration-response curves for ethylene oxide-induced heritable translocations and dominant lethal mutations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 16:126-131 (1990).
    • F Mice: C3H X C57BL
    • Mice Female Positive 
  • Dominant Lethal (Male)  (DLM022) Completed 
    • Citation: Generoso, W.M., Rutledge, J.C., Cain, K.T., Hughes, L.A., and Braden, P.W. Exposure of female mice to ethylene oxide within hours after mating leads to fetal malformation and death. Mutation Res. 176:269-274 (1987).
    • M Mice: C3H X 101
    • Mice Male Positive 
  • Heritable Translocation Test  (HTM32) Completed 
    • Citation: Generoso, W.M., Cain, K.T., Hughes, L.A., and Foxworth, L. Concentration-response curves for ethylene oxide-induced heritable translocations and dominant lethal mutations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 16:126-131 (1990).
    • M Mice: C3H X 101
    • Mice Male Positive 
  • Morphological Specific Locus  (MSLM42) Completed 
    • Citation: Russell, L.B., Cummings, R.B., and Hunsicker, P.R. Specific-Locus mutation rates in the mouse following inhalation of ethylene oxide and application of the results estimation of human genetic risk. Mutation Res. 129:381-388 (1984).
    • M Mice: 101 X C3H
    • Mice Male Negative 
  • Preimplantation Zygote Effects  (PZEF48) Completed 
    • Citation: Generoso, W.M., Rutledge, J.C., Cain, K.T., Hughes, L.A., and Braden, P.W. Exposure of female mice to ethylene oxide within hours after mating leads to fetal malformation and death. Mutation Res. 176:269-274 (1987).
    • F Mice: C3H X C57BL
    • Mice Female Positive 
  • 5 CONS D Continuous Breeding (Inhalation)  (T0024C) Completed 
    • M Mice: C3H
    • Dose: 100 PPM 7HR/DY FOR 5
  • GD 4-6,6-8,8-10,10-12 Conventional Teratology (Intravenous)  (T0024A) Completed 
    • NTIS No. PB84-219294
      Citation: Teratologic Evaluation of Ethylene Oxide
    • F Mice: Swiss
    • Dose: 75, 150 MG/KG/DAY
  • GD 7-16, GD 1-16, OR 3 WK BEFORE BREEDING PLUS GD 1-16. Conventional Teratology (Inhalation)  (T0024D) Completed 
    • NTIS No. PB83-258038
      Citation: Teratogenic Study of Ethylene and Propylene Oxide and n-Butyl Acetate
    • F Rats: Sprague Dawley
    • Dose: 150 PPM 7 HR/D
  • GD 7-19 OR GD 1-19 Conventional Teratology (Inhalation)  (T0024E) Completed 
    • NTIS No. PB83-258038
      Citation: Teratogenic Study of Ethylene and Propylene Oxide and n-Butyl Acetate
    • F Rabbit: New Zealand White
    • Dose: 150 PPM 7HR/D
  • GD 6-14 AND GD 6-9 Conventional Teratology (Intravenous)  (TER82078) Completed 
    • NTIS No. PB83-242016
      Citation: Teratologic Evaluation of Ethylene Oxide in New Zealand White Rabbits
    • F Rabbit: New Zealand White
    • Rabbits Maternal Positive 
    • Rabbits Fetal Positive 
    • Dose: PART A: GD 6-14, WATER VEHICLE AT 0, 9, 18, & 36 MG/KG. PART B: GD 6-9, 5% DEXTROSE VEHICLE AT 0, 18, & 36 MG/KG.
  • Total Reproductive Capacity  (TRC98017) Completed 
    • Citation: Bishop, JB, Morris, RW, Seely, JC, Hughes, LA, Cain, KT, Generoso, WM. Alterations in the Reproductive Patterns ofFemale Mice Exposed to Xenobiotics. Fund. and Appl. Tox. 40: 191-204 (1997).
    • F Mice
    • Mice Female Positive 

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Web page last updated on November 24, 2008