Ethylene oxide: an overview of toxicologic and epidemiologic research

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700060205· OSTI ID:6586744

Landrigan, P J; Meinhardt, T J; Gordon, J; Lipscomb, J A; Burg, J R; Mazzuckelli, L F; Lewis, T R; Lemen, R A

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a reactive epoxide and potent biocide. It is used widely in gas sterilization of hospital equipment. An estimated 75,000 health care workers in the United States have potential exposure. EtO binds covalently to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and has been shown in 13 species to cause point mutations. Apparently, as a consequence of its alkylating ability, EtO exposure can result in chromosomal damage. In adult male rats, exposure produces decreased fertility, increased fetal deaths, and heritable chromosomal translocations. In pregnant female rats and rabbits, exposure causes increased fetal losses, and in one study in pregnant mice exposure was associated with increased numbers of malformed fetuses. In male monkeys EtO causes dose-related reductions in sperm count and sperm motility. In pregnant women, one study suggests that brief occupational exposure twice daily in concentrations of 20 ppm or above was associated with increased spontaneous abortions. In rats it causes dose-related increases in mononuclear cell leukemias, peritoneal mesotheliomas, and cerebral gliomas. In man, exposure has been associated in two epidemiologic studies with increased leukemias. Quantitative assessment indicates that from 634 to 1,093 excess deaths from cancer will occur per 10,000 workers exposed to EtO at 50 ppm over a working lifetime, and that 12 to 23 excess cancer deaths will occur per 10,000 workers exposed at 1 ppm. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that EtO be regarded as a potential human carcinogen. NIOSH has recommended that eight-hour time-weighted average exposure to EtO be less than 0.1 ppm and that short-term peak exposure not exceed 5 ppm for more than ten minutes per working day.

• Research Organization: Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH
• OSTI ID: 6586744
• Journal Information: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States) Vol. 6:2; ISSN AJIMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARCINOGENESIS
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EPOXIDES
HETEROCYCLIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MAN
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MUTATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOGENESIS
PRIMATES
REVIEWS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES
STANDARDS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES