Ethylene Oxide

About Ethylene Oxide

• It is a flammable gas with a somewhat sweet odor. It dissolves easily in water.
• It appears as a clear colorless gas with an ethereal odor.
• Ethylene oxide is a man-made chemical that is used primarily to make ethylene glycol.
• Applications: A small amount (less than 1%) is used to control insects in some stored agricultural products and a very small amount is used in hospitals to sterilize medicalequipment and supplies.

Health impacts: It mainly impacts human central nervous system depression and irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes. Chronic 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.

Q1: What is ethylene glycol?

Ethylene glycol is a colourless and odourless alcoholic compound that can be fatal if consumed. The sweet-tasting ethylene glycol is a syrupy or viscous liquid at room temperature.

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