There is no single cause of, or risk factor for, breast cancer. Were you able to find the information you were looking for on ConsumerNotice.org? Consumernotice.org adheres to the highest ethical standards for content production and references only credible sources of information, including government reports, interviews with experts, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, peer-reviewed journals, court records and academic organizations. People treating others who have been exposed should be wearing protective gear and HAZMAT teams should be contacted. In smaller amounts, ethylene oxide is used as a pesticide and a sterilizing agent. The law requires employers to make sure employees have appropriate protective gear such as protective clothing and respirators. [69] It can be found in tobacco smoke, automobile exhausts, and foods. Evidence in humans indicates that long-term exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of cancers of the white blood cells, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, and lymphocytic leukemia. The mid-term estimated levels (two weeks to one year) and the long-term estimated levels in the air are also below levels that may cause noncancer health effects. (2018). We released it in August 2018. The new health value is 60 times more toxic to children and 30 times more toxic to adults than the previous estimate. Side effects of ethylene oxide exposure can occur up to 72 hours after acute exposure to high doses. Besides being a cancer agent, is ethylene oxide known to cause skin conditions? People exposed to toxic amounts of EO typically inhale it, but it may also contaminate the skin or be ingested. Manufacturers also use it to sterilize some medical devices. Children experiencing the effects of chronic exposure to Ethylene Oxide can be significantly more severe than the damage caused to adults due to its human carcinogen properties. It’s used to make chemicals for industrial, personal care products and consumer goods. The short-term (one-hour) estimated levels in the air are well below levels that may immediately cause serious, long-lasting or irreversible noncancer health effects. I asked my doctor about EtO and she said it is not linked to cancer in humans. However, these tests are not intended for use on individuals that may have been exposed to very low levels of EtO (as these tests are not sensitive enough to detect it) nor can they be used to predict how it will affect a person’s health. The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry has some guidelines for treating ethylene oxide exposure. Retrieved from, National Cancer Institute. How long does ethylene oxide remain in the body? Retrieved from, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. More severe side effects, such as fluid in the lungs that can lead to lung collapse, coma, cardiovascular collapse and respiratory paralysis, are more likely at larger doses and at longer durations of exposure. Potential sources of exposure include uncontrolled emissions in industrial settings, contaminated air, tobacco smoke and the on-the-job exposure. Long-term exposure can cause cancer in humans. You can learn more about our dedication to relevance, accuracy and transparency by reading our editorial policy. (n.d.). Despite its toxicity, the chemical is still widely used. Most people don’t experience ethylene oxide side effects because they are not exposed to high amounts of the chemical every day. EPA has established an inhalation cancer risk value for ethylene oxide, and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has established a chronic noncancer health effect value for ethylene oxide. Effects from short-term exposure to high levels of ethylene oxide in humans can include central nervous system depression and irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes. Why has EPA intentionally withheld critical health information from the public about the cancer risks posed by EtO? At that rate, almost 90% of ethylene oxide would be eliminated from the body in two hours. Tumwater, WA — Ethylene oxide should not be used to sterilize filtering facepiece respirators for reuse because “this extremely hazardous toxic chemical poses a severe risk to human health,” the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries warns in a new alert. Should we be concerned about children playing outside. We are not aware of data suggesting that EtO is associated with effects such as birth defects or autism. Congress classified it as a “hazardous air pollutant,” according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. When did EPA classify ethylene oxide as a carcinogen? Retrieved from, Andersen Sterilizers. Can ethylene oxide cause immediate/acute health effects? Retrieved from, United States Department of Labor. In 2016, the EPA classified ethylene oxide as cancerous to humans. Manufacturers use EO primarily in producing other chemicals used in consumer and industrial applications. EPA is taking steps to reduce ethylene oxide (EtO) in the air to reduce risk. Children may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of mutagenic substances. It can linger for as long as 149 days in the air in colder weather, according to the EPA. People who work with ethylene oxide are most at risk of suffering health effects because of chronic exposure. Are there medical tests to see if I have ethylene oxide in my system? See additional categories of questions and answers. EPA changed its health value for EtO in December 2016. effects described below. There are more than 90 processing plants across the country that work with EO and chemicals made from it. I am pregnant and have small children, what are our risks? (2002). (2014). I am pregnant and have small children, what are our risks? EPA headquarters leads the effort and works with the EPA regions and the states to review the NATA and make changes to the initial draft. At room temperature, ethylene oxide is a flammable colorless gas with a sweet odor. Thousands of Americans work directly or indirectly with the chemical. EPA gathers emissions of air toxics from all over the country, conducts an initial computer-based analyses to estimate risk, and then conducts a rigorous quality review of the inputs and results. We appreciate your feedback. Effects from short-term exposure to high levels of ethylene oxide in humans can include central nervous system depression and irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes. Ethylene Oxide. Ethylene oxide can kill most viruses, bacteria, bacteria spores and fungi. Based on available data, we do not expect ethylene oxide levels in the air around facilities to be high enough to cause immediate health effects. Ethylene Oxide. There are many changes that are made to that initial draft, including for EtO. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to monitor employee exposure to EO and provide protective equipment to keep them safe. One of our content team members will be in touch with you soon. The percentage of ethylene converted to ethylene oxide in the body is unknown, but expected to be low. 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. Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. 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. Yes, our bodies produce ethylene oxide when metabolizing ethylene, which is produced naturally in the body. Before being treated for serious symptoms, anyone who has been exposed will be decontaminated. What kinds of cancer does ethylene oxide cause? What we know about ethylene oxide has changed over time. If patients are having trouble breathing, rescuers will intubate them to help them breathe. This is a critically important part of the process, to be sure we are conducting the screening assessment with the best information possible. For more information, contact local, state or national poison control centers. Retrieved from, American Chemistry Council. Health Hazard Information Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Aluminum Oxide: Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. (2019, June 21). 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. Studies also show that long-term exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of breast cancer in females. The greatest risk is for people who have lived near a facility releasing EtO into the air for their entire lifetime. Ethylene oxide (EtO) is eliminated from the body fairly quickly – with levels dropping by about 50% every 42 minutes. or change a person’s DNA? Ethylene Oxide. Multiple studies have shown that EO increases the risk of several types of cancer. Animal studies have shown it can cause brain, lung, connective tissue and uterine tumors. The EPA sets limits for EO emissions. Retrieved from, American Chemistry Council. Chronic (long-term) exposure to EtO in humans can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and damage to the brain and nervous system. (n.d.). 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. The NATA takes about 3 years to produce. Because ethylene oxide destroys DNA, it can increase the risk of certain cancers. The EPA classified the chemical as a human carcinogen in 2016. Are levels of ethylene oxide in my area high enough to cause immediate health effects? Penumbra Jet 7 Xtra Flex Catheter Lawsuits, Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Lawsuits, United States Environmental Protection Agency, The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, filing lawsuits against corporations responsible for the exposure, https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mmg/mmg.asp?id=730&tid=133, https://www.americanchemistry.com/EO/Ethylene-Oxide-and-the-Potential-Cost-of-Deselection.pdf, https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/ethylene-oxide/, https://www.anderseneurope.com/eto-sterilisation/ethylene-oxide/how-does-ethylene-oxide-work, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ethyleneoxide/default.html, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/ethylene-oxide.pdf, https://www.epa.gov/il/ethylene-oxide-emissions-frequent-questions, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24958024/, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/ethylene-oxide, https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/ethylene-oxide-factsheet.pdf, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/ethylene-oxide, This article contains incorrect information, This article doesn't have the information I'm looking for, Chemicals used to create fabrics for clothes, pillows and carpets, Fiberglass used in jet skis, bowling balls and other products, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic resin used to make packaging and beverage containers, Sterilizing medical devices that are too delicate or sensitive for high-heat sterilizing, such as knee implants, bandages, electronics and devices containing plastic, Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, skin and lungs, 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, Discarding clothing that may be contaminated, Not smoking, eating or drinking while working with EO, Seeing a doctor if you have been exposed to EO, Avoiding working with EO without protective gear, Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. 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