Is Ethylene Oxide Toxic?

Exposure to ethylene oxide may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulty, drowsiness, weakness, exhaustion, eye and skin burns, frostbite, and reproductive effects. Workers may be harmed from exposure to ethylene oxide.

Is ethylene oxide harmful to humans?

Chronic (long-term) exposure to ethylene oxide in humans can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and damage to the brain and nervous system. There also is some evidence linking ethylene oxide exposure to reproductive effects.

What level of ethylene oxide is harmful to humans?

Acute exposure to ethylene oxide at the odor detection level (≥260 ppm) causes eye and upper respiratory tract irritation and signs and symptoms of effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems.