Environmental Health Substances Map
This map displays locations where Ethylene Oxide is known to be present.
Ethylene Oxide
CAS ID #: 75-21-8
Affected Organ Systems: Dermal (Skin), Developmental (effects during periods when organs are developing) , Neurological (Nervous System), Ocular (Eyes), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys)
Cancer Effects: Known to be a Human Carcinogen
Chemical Classification: None
Summary: Ethylene oxide is a flammable gas with a somewhat sweet odor. It dissolves easily in water. Ethylene oxide is a man-made chemical that is used primarily to make ethylene glycol (a chemical used to make antifreeze and polyester). 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 medical equipment and supplies.
Community Members
Fact sheet that answers the most frequently asked questions about a contaminant and its health effects.
Summary about a hazardous substance taken from Chapter One of its respective ATSDR Toxicological Profile.
Emergency Responders
Publication intended to aid emergency department physicians and other emergency healthcare professionals who manage acute exposures resulting from chemical incidents.
Toxicological and Health Professionals
Succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for a hazardous substance.
The MRL is an estimate of the daily human exposure to a hazardous substance that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse, non-cancer health effects over a specified duration of exposure. The information in this MRL serves as a screening tool to help public health professionals decide where to look more closely to evaluate possible risk of adverse health effects from human exposure.
- Page last reviewed: March 3, 2011
- Page last updated: March 3, 2011
- Content source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Contact Us:
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
4770 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30341 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
