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The facts on Ethylene Oxide

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The facts on Ethylene Oxide

Last update April 11, 2024

It is estimated that 46,900 workers in the EU are exposed to ethylene oxide. Exposure to ethylene oxide mainly takes place via inhalation and ingestion. The substance is Carcinogenic Category 1B and may cause leukemia, lymphoid and breast cancers.

Exposure is also linked to spontaneous abortion, genetic damage, nerve damage, peripheral paralysis, muscle weakness, as well as impaired thinking and memory. The liquid form of ethylene oxide can cause severe skin irritation when exposure is prolonged or confined.

Where risks occur

There is a high risk of exposure to ethylene oxide of workers in medical services, printing industry, industrial chemical manufacturing, rubber and plastic manufacturing.

More about the substance

Ethylene oxide is a flammable, colorless gas at temperatures above 10.7 °C that smells like ether at toxic levels. It has a higher density than air, which means at can easily spread on ground level. Ethylene oxide is found in the production of solvents, antifreeze, textiles, detergents, adhesives, polyurethane foam, and pharmaceuticals. The major use of ethylene oxide is as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of ethylene glycol. The substance is present in smaller amounts in fumigants, sterilization agents for spices, cosmetics and surgical equipment.

How the symptoms can affect you

Acute effects and early symptoms of exposure to ethylene oxide may cause eye pain, sore throat, difficult breathing, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, convulsions, blisters, coughing, increased miscarriages in female workers, testicular degeneration and lower sperm concentration. Aqueous solutions may cause skin blistering. Rapid evaporation of the liquid form of the substance may cause frostbite. Prolonged or repeated contact with ethylene oxide may cause skin sensitization. Prolonged or repeated inhalation may cause asthma. The substance may as well affect the nervous system. Prolonged exposure may cause leukemia, lymphoid or breast cancer.

The latency period of ethylene oxide related cancer varies from nine to 20 years.

What you can do

The most effective way to prevent exposure is to substitute with ethylene oxide-free or lower- ethylene oxide products. If ethylene oxide-containing products cannot be substituted, the exposure to ethylene oxide should be reduced through engineering controls. For example, install non-sparking ventilation systems and provide eyewash and safety shower if contact or splash hazard exists. Continuously carry out correct exposure measurements so that it is known when action should be taken. Investigate whether workers report early symptoms. Make workers continuously aware of the effects of exposure. In addition, train workers on hazards, safe work practices and on effective hygiene measures. To protect on the individual level, workers should wear goggles and proper protective clothing to protect the skin at all times in areas where there is a risk of splashes from liquid ethylene oxide. All clothing that has been degraded by ethylene oxide should be discarded. The workers should not eat, drink, or smoke while working with ethylene oxide. Personal protective equipment should only be used as a last resort, after introducing the possible engineering solutions.

Limit values

EU
1,8 mg/m³
 Austria
1,8 mg/m³ (TWA)
7,2 mg/m³ short term
 Belgium
1,8 mg/m³ (TWA)
Bulgaria
EU directive
Croatia
EU directive
Czech Republic
EU directive
Cyprus
EU directive
Denmark
1,8 mg/m³ (TWA)
Estonia
1,8 mg/m³ (TWA)
Finland
1,8 mg/m³ (TWA)
France
1,8 mg/m³ (TWA)
Germany
2 mg/m³ (TWA)
4 mg/m³ short term
Greece
EU directive
Hungary
EU directive
Iceland
EU directive
Ireland
EU directive
Italy
EU directive
Latvia
EU directive
Lithuania
EU directive
Luxembourg
EU directive
Malta
EU directive
Netherlands
0,84 mg/m³
North Macedonia
2 mg/m³ (TWA)
8 mg/m³ short term
Norway
1,8 mg/m³(TWA)
Poland
1,8 mg/m³ (TWA)
Portugal
EU directive
Romania
EU directive
Serbia
EU directive
Slovakia
EU directive
Slovenia
EU directive
Spain
1,8 mg/m³ (TWA)
Sweden
1,8 mg/m³(TWA)
Turkey
EU directive

References: cancer.gov, EFSA, IARC, EC, NIOSH, OSHA, CAREX

Possible substitutions

Please be aware that for this carcinogen you need to be more cautious when determining potential skin contact and how to regard dermal exposure in your risk reduction strategy.
ECHA registration
CAS number 75-21-8
EC number 200-849-9
Annex VI of CLP 1B
Tonnage band registred (2023) ≥ 1.000.000

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) works for the safe use of chemicals. It implements the EU’s groundbreaking chemicals legislation, benefiting human health, the environment and innovation and competitiveness in Europe.

GESTIS Database

The data pool may be used for the purpose of occupational health and safety or to obtain information on the hazards posed by chemical substances.

General facts

Facts about cancer-causing agents:

  • The direct costs of carcinogen exposure at work across Europe are estimated at 2.4 billion Euros per year.
  • Every year, about 120.000 persons get cancer from exposure to carcinogens at work
  • Every year, almost 100.000 people die from cancer that was caused by exposure at work
  • Annually more than 100.000 people die because of work-related cancer.
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