What is the OSHA permissible exposure limit for ethylene oxide?

1 ppm
Employee exposure is limited to one part EtO per million parts of air (1 ppm) measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Employee exposure may not exceed the short-term excursion limit of 5 ppm EtO averaged over any 15-minute sampling period. These limits are called permissible exposure limits (PELs).

Is ethylene oxide banned in UK?

Ethylene oxide is a carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic disinfectant which is banned in the European Union and yet has been circulating in Europe for several months or even years. It has been used to treat certain foodstuffs before export.

What level of ethylene oxide is harmful to humans?

Acute exposure to ethylene oxide at the odor detection level (≥260 ppm) causes eye and upper respiratory tract irritation and signs and symptoms of effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Is ethylene oxide banned in Australia?

Historically, ethylene oxide was used as a fumigant pesticide to treat foodstuffs sold in Australia. Ethylene oxide has not been an accepted treatment for any foods that are sold in Australia since 2003.

What is a safe amount of ethylene oxide?

► Ethylene Oxide may polymerize (self-react) violently. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 5 ppm, as an excursion limit, averaged over a period of 15-minutes.

What is ETO sterilization?

EtO Sterilization is a low-temperature process (typically between 37 and 63°C) that uses Ethylene Oxide gas to reduce the level of infectious agents. It is mainly used for products that cannot withstand the heat of typical autoclave sterilization such as plastic.

Is ethylene oxide banned in USA?

Is EO banned? EO is not banned by any U.S. regulatory agencies. Ethylene oxide continues to be broadly used for the processing of food products, cosmetics, museum artifacts, manufacturing and medical devices. According to EOSA, over 4 billion pounds of EO is produced each year in the United States.

Why is ethylene oxide banned in Europe?

In the EU, the use of ethylene oxide as a pesticide or for the disinfection of food is not permitted. What are the health risks from consuming food contaminated with ethylene oxide? Ethylene oxide is classified by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as a mutagen, carcinogen and a reproductive toxicant.

Is ethylene oxide harmful to humans?

Ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) is a flammable gas with a somewhat sweet odor. Exposure to ethylene oxide may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulty, drowsiness, weakness, exhaustion, eye and skin burns, frostbite, and reproductive effects. Workers may be harmed from exposure to ethylene oxide.

Is ethylene oxide a carcinogen?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that ethylene oxide be regarded in the workplace as a potential occupational carcinogen, and that appropriate controls be used to reduce worker exposure.

Is ethylene oxide used for sterilization?

Ethylene oxide sterilization is an important sterilization method that manufacturers widely use to keep medical devices safe.