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Ethylene Oxide Ethylene oxide is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and a liquid below 51 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s used to make chemicals for industrial, personal care products and consumer goods. Manufacturers also use it to sterilize some medical devices. Exposure can cause headaches, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and other problems. Long-term exposure can cause cancer in humans.Ethylene oxide (EO) is an environmental pollutant and is toxic to humans. Congress classified it as a “hazardous air pollutant,” according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Multiple studies have shown that EO increases the risk of several types of cancer. The EPA classified the chemical as a human carcinogen in 2016. Despite its toxicity, the chemical is still widely used. The American Chemical Council has called it a versatile chemical that contributes to the American economy. In 2018, the United States produced 2.92 million metric tons of ethylene oxide valued at $3.49 billion, according to the American Chemistry Council.There are more than 90 processing plants across the country that work with EO and chemicals made from it. Thousands of Americans work directly or indirectly with the chemical. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to monitor employee exposure to EO and provide protective equipment to keep them safe. The EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants regulates EO atmosphere emissions. Exposure to EO can cause a number of acute side effects and health problems. Most people aren’t at risk of toxic levels of exposure in the environment, but factory workers, agricultural workers and some hospital workers who work with the chemical may be at risk.Ethylene Oxide Uses Manufacturers use EO primarily in producing other chemicals used in consumer and industrial applications. The main chemical created from EO is ethylene glycol, a chemical used in products from brake fluid to industrial solvents. Some studies have found it in e-cigarette liquids. EO is also used to create health care products and sterilize medical devices. Ethylene oxide uses include: Adhesives Agricultural insecticide Antifreeze Chemicals used to create fabrics for clothes, pillows and carpets Cosmetics Detergents Fiberglass used in jet skis, bowling balls and other products Herbicide Household cleaners Industrial cleaners Medicines Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic resin used to make packaging and beverage containers Shampoos Sterilizing medical devices that are too delicate or sensitive for high-heat sterilizing, such as knee implants, bandages, electronics and devices containing plastic Sterilizing spices What Does Ethylene Oxide Kill? Ethylene oxide can kill most viruses, bacteria, bacteria spores and fungi. It kills microorganisms by ripping apart cell membranes. Because of this property, manufacturers often use EO to disinfect dry foods like spices and grains as well as medical devices and supplies like knee implants, catheters, syringes and surgical kits.Side Effects of Ethylene Oxide Exposure Most people don’t experience ethylene oxide side effects because they are not exposed to high amounts of the chemical every day. People exposed to toxic amounts of EO typically inhale it, but it may also contaminate the skin or be ingested. Potential sources of exposure include uncontrolled emissions in industrial settings, contaminated air, tobacco smoke and the on-the-job exposure. Side effects of ethylene oxide exposure may include: Cancer Diarrhea Difficulty breathing Drowsiness Exhaustion Eye burns Frostbite Headache Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, skin and lungs Memory loss Miscarriages Nausea Numbness Reproductive effects Skin burns Seizures Vomiting Weakness Who Is Most at Risk? People who work with ethylene oxide are most at risk of suffering health effects because of chronic exposure. Examples of at-risk jobs include: Agricultural workers who use ethylene oxide as an insecticide for grain bins Factory workers in plants that make ethylene oxide Hospital workers or technicians who sterilize medical equipment and supplies with ethylene oxide Plant workers that use ethylene oxide to produce antifreeze, solvents, detergents, textiles, polyurethane foam and adhesives What Cancers Can Ethylene Oxide Exposure Cause? Because ethylene oxide destroys DNA, it can increase the risk of certain cancers. Studies show that long-term exposure to ethylene oxide can cause cancers of the white blood cells in humans, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma and lymphocytic leukemia, according to the EPA. It also increases the risk of breast cancer in women. Animal studies have shown it can cause brain, lung, connective tissue and uterine tumors. The EPA hasn’t set limits for exposure, but the agency has said it “considers any exposure, however small, to a carcinogen to create some cancer risk.”