Ethylene oxide

EtO is a flammable, colorless gas used to sterilize medical equipment and other plastics that are sensitive to heat or moisture and as antimicrobial treatment ...

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) can also help answer questions about associations between EtO exposure and health conditions based on the best available evidence; you can send questions via email to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). EPA plans to issue a Clean Air Act rulemaking for commercial sterilizers later this year and for other chemical facilities soon, as well. EPA’s [AirToxScreen](https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e5a7e59018c7424eaddcb64b31ba4a41) uses the National Air Toxics Assessment to offer a location-based screening tool that shows long-term cancer and health risks given air emissions of hazardous chemicals over a person’s lifetime. This group pressed the EPA to support the adoption of a far less protective standard based on the TCEQ’s analysis. In 2019, it announced two innovation challenges in which FDA would work closely with companies to identify safe and effective [ethylene oxide](https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/what-ethylene-oxide-eto). EPA proposed changes to its MON rule in 2019, regulating toxic emissions for about 200 chemical plants that produce solvents, plastics, and pesticides across the country. Facilities release ethylene oxide in two ways: from the smokestack (which is usually tracked by the company) and through fugitive emissions (unintentional emissions through valves, leaky pipes, doors, windows and other openings). There are, however, some promising alternatives that could be used in place of ethylene oxide. [estimates](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/general-hospital-devices-and-supplies/ethylene-oxide-sterilization-medical-devices) that EtO is used to sterilize about half of all medical equipment, including bandages, sutures, and stents. Also, because EtO is mutagenic—meaning it can change a cell’s DNA—children may be especially susceptible to its effects. Its chemical properties make it especially good at killing viruses, bacteria, and human cells by reacting with proteins, DNA, and other essential cellular components.