In accordance with OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.1047, Ethylene Oxide, the NIH has established an Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Surveillance Program. The Technical Assistance Branch (TAB) of the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) maintains the Ethylene Oxide Program. For more information contact the TAB at (301) 496-3353.
In health care and research settings, EtO is commonly used for sterilizing medical supplies and equipment. At room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure, it is a colorless gas with a characteristic ether-like odor. Ethylene oxide is both flammable and highly reactive.
Acute exposures to EtO gas may result in respiratory irritation and lung injury, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and cyanosis. Chronic exposure has been associated with the occurrence of cancer, reproductive effects, mutagenic changes, neurotoxicity, and sensitization.
Potential EtO exposures at the NIH are typically associated with using EtO sterilizers or handling materials removed from the sterilizers. There are two types of EtO gas sterilizers used at the NIH:
- Automatic, general purpose sterilizers that are supplied by compressed-gas cylinders or single-dose cartridges, and
- Sterilizers that use glass ampules.
All EtO sterilization facilities at the NIH are routinely surveyed to determine if the workers that operate the sterilizers and those that work in the immediate area are exposed to excessive levels of EtO. These surveys also serve to provide documentation of surveillance activities to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC).
In evaluating employee exposures to EtO, the NIH complies with the exposure levels set by OSHA in 29 CFR 1910.1047. These are: 1.0 part per million (ppm) as an "8- hour time-weighted average", 5 ppm as a "short term exposure limit", and 0.5 ppm as an "action level".
Laboratories using EtO that have not been evaluated should contact the DOHS, TAB to schedule an evaluation.