Hazard Recognition

Many workers are unaware of the potential hazards in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to injury. The following references aid in recognizing and evaluating ethylene oxide hazards in the workplace.

• Ethylene Oxide. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2002). Answers common questions regarding ethylene oxide.
• Ethylene Oxide (EtO): Evidence of Carcinogenicity. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Current Intelligence Bulletin 35, (May 22, 1981). Provides information on health effects at threshold exposure levels.
• Special Occupational Hazard Review With Control Recommendations: Use of Ethylene Oxide as a Sterilant in Medical Facilities. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 77-200, (August 1977).
• Ethylene oxide. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (May 1994). Provides an Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health document that includes acute toxicity data for ethylene oxide.
• PubChem – Ethylene Oxide. The National Library of Medicine (NLM).
• Report on Carcinogens (RoC). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Toxicology Program (NTP). Identifies and discusses agents, substances, mixtures, or exposure circumstances that may pose a health hazard due to their carcinogenicity. The listing of substances in the RoC only indicates a potential hazard and does not establish the exposure conditions that would pose cancer risks to individuals.
  • Ethylene Oxide. NTP classification: Known to be a human carcinogen
• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks for Humans: Ethylene Oxide. World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Ethylene Oxide. IARC Classification: Carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).
• Toxicological Profile for Ethylene Oxide. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), (December 1990). Provides exposure risks, exposure limits, and health effects for ethylene oxide.
• ToxFAQs™ for Ethylene Oxide. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), (July 1999). Answers the most frequently asked health questions about ethylene oxide.
• Ethylene Oxide. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lists ethylene oxide as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under the National Emissions Standard Hazardous Air Pollutants section of its Clean Air Act.
• Ethylene Oxide. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, (Revised November 2009). Provides a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from ethylene oxide exposure.
• International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Summarizes essential health and safety information.
  • Ethylene Oxide