Ethylene oxide is a highly penetrating, chemically reactive flammable gas or liquid that is used widely as a sterilizer of medical equipment and supplies. It is also an important industrial chemical that is used as an intermediate in the production of ethylene glycol, solvents, surfactants, and multiple other industrial chemicals. Ethylene oxide liquid has a boiling point of 10.7°C (760 mm Hg) and is readily miscible with water and organic solvents. Ethylene oxide in air poses a risk for fire/explosion at concentrations greater than 2.6%.

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   Mechanism of toxicity. Ethylene oxide is an alkylating agent and reacts directly with proteins and DNA to cause cell death. Direct contact with the gas causes irritation of the eyes, mucous membranes, and lungs. Ethylene oxide is mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic (regulated as a carcinogen by OSHA and categorized by IARC as a known human carcinogen). It may be absorbed through intact skin.

   
   
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   Toxic dose. Occupational exposure to ethylene oxide is regulated by OSHA, whose standard and excellent supporting documentation can be found at www.osha.gov. The workplace permissible exposure limit (PEL) in air is 1 ppm (1.8 mg/m3

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