Ethylene oxide poisoning

Fukushima T, Abe K, Nakagawa A, Osaki Y, Yoshida N, Yamane Y. Chronic ethylene oxide poisoning in a factory manufacturing medical appliances. J Soc Occup Med 1986 36(4) 118-23. 

Estrin WJ, Cavalieri SA, Wald P, et al Evidence of neurologic dysfunction related to long-term ethylene oxide exposure. Arch Neurol 44 1283-1286, 1987 Estrin WJ, Bowler RM, Lash A, et al Neurotoxicological evaluation of hospital sterilizer workers exposed to ethylene oxide. Clin Toxicol 28 1-20,1990 Fukushima T, Abe K, Nakagawa A, et al Chronic ethylene oxide poisoning in a factory manufacturing medical appliances. Journal of Social and Occupational Medicine 36 118-123,1986... 

Catalyst lifetime for contemporary ethylene oxide catalysts is 1—2 years, depending on the severity of service, ie, ethylene oxide production rate and absence of feed poisons, primarily sulfur compounds. A large percentage (>95%) of the silver in spent catalysts can be recovered and recycled the other components are usually discarded because of thek low values. 

Ethylene Oxide Recovery. An economic recovery scheme for a gas stream that contains less than 3 mol % ethylene oxide (EO) must be designed. It is necessary to achieve nearly complete removal siace any ethylene oxide recycled to the reactor would be combusted or poison the carbon dioxide removal solution. Commercial designs use a water absorber foUowed by vacuum or low pressure stripping of EO to minimize oxide hydrolysis. Several patents have proposed improvements to the basic recovery scheme (176—189). Other references describe how to improve the scmbbiag efficiency of water or propose alternative solvents (180,181). 

Despite the poisoning action of Cl for oxygen dissociative adsorption on Ag, it is used as moderator in the ethylene epoxidation reaction in order to attain high selectivity to ethylene oxide. The presence of Cl adatoms in this... 

Promoters may influence selectivity by poisoning undesired reactions or by increasing the rates of desired intermediate reactions so as to increase the yield of the desired product. If they act in the first sense, they are sometimes referred to as inhibitors. An example of this type of action involves the addition of halogen compounds to the catalyst used for oxidizing ethylene to ethylene oxide (silver supported on alumina). The halogens prevent complete oxidation of the ethylene to carbon dioxide and water, thus permitting the use of this catalyst for industrial purposes. 

Some of the Farben factories made products that were interchangeable for peace or war — buna rubber, synthetic gasoline, and the ethylene oxide that would yield either Prestone or poison gas. 

While chlorine is a poison for the ammonia synthesis over iron, it serves as a promoter in the epoxidation of ethylene over silver catalysts, where it increases the selectivity to ethylene oxide at the cost of the undesired total combustion to C02. In this case an interesting correlation was observed between the AgCl27Cl ratio from SIMS, which reflects the extent to which silver is chlorinated, and the selectivity towards ethylene oxide [16]. In both examples, the molecular clusters reveal which elements are in contact in the surface region of the catalyst. 

We may also be transferred from a point A to a point B in Fig. 21 (or vice versa) by a change in temperature [at Z = const., as appears from (30)]. Thus, a given impurity (at a given concentration) may act as a promoter at one temperature and as a poison at another. This has also been observed experimentally. As an example, we cite the reaction of ethylene oxidation on MgO. CrsOs doped with NasS04, according to the data of Krylov and Margolis (73). 

Ethylene glycol, an industrial solvent and an antifreeze compound, is involved in accidental and intentional poisonings. This compound is initially oxidized by alcohol dehydrogenase and then further biotransformed to oxalic acid and other products. Oxalate crystals are found in various tissues of the body and are excreted by the kidney. Deposition of oxalate crystals in the kidney causes renal toxicity. Ethylene glycol is also a CNS depressant. In cases of ethylene glycol poisoning, ethanol is administered to reduce the first step in the biotransformation of ethylene glycol and, thereby, prevent the formation of oxalate and other products. 

Ethylene Cyanohydrin or /3-Hydroxypropio-nitrile, HO.CH8.CH2.CN mw 71.08, N 19.71% poisonous straw-colored Uq, sp gr 1.0404 at 25°/4, fr p -46°, bp 227-28°(dec), vapor pressure 20mm at 117 miscible with w, acet, ethanol, chlf, methyl-ethyl ketone si sol in eth insol in benz, CC14 naphtha. It can be prepd by interaction of ethylene oxide with... 

Toxicity of EtnO (Ref 17, pp 314—15 Spec MIL-E-52171). Liquid EtnO, concentrated or dilute, when exposed to the skin can cause -severe delayed bums. Short exposures produce mild first degree bums, but prolonged exposures produce second degree bums with the formation of large blisters. Exposure to the vapor results in systemic manifestations and irritation to the respiratory system. Inhalation of ethylene oxide vapors, if. prolonged, results in severe systemic poisoning with the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, headache, dysnea, and diarthea. The anesthetic properties are similar to chloroform, but with pronounced undesirable side and after effects. 

Several processes based on air or oxygen have been developed.890-895 Oxidation with air (260-280°C) or oxygen (230°C) is carried out at about 15-25 atm at a limited conversion (about 10-15%) to achieve the highest selectivity.896-898 High-purity, sulfur-free ethylene is required to avoid poisoning of the catalyst. Ethylene concentration is about 20-30 vol% or 5 vol% when oxygen or air, respectively, is used as oxidants. The main byproducts are C02 and H20, and a very small amount of acetaldehyde is formed via isomerization of ethylene oxide. Selectivity to ethylene oxide is 65-75% (air process) or 70-80% (02 process).867... 

In contrast to lead, the possible poisoning by metallic elements, derived from the vehicle system, is not easily documented. Many formulations of automotive catalysts contain both base and noble metals, but the detailed effect of such combinations on the particular reactions is rarely known with precision. One study was concerned with the effect of Cu on noble metal oxidation catalysts, since these, placed downstream from Monel NOx catalysts, could accumulate up to 0.15% Cu (100). The introduction of this amount of Cu into a practical catalyst containing 0.35% Pt and Pd in an equiatomic ratio has, after calcination in air, depressed the CO oxidation activity, but enhanced the ethylene oxidation. Formation of a mixed Pt-Cu-oxide phase is thought to underlie this behavior. This particular instance shows an example, when an element introduced into a given catalyst serves as a poison for one reaction, and as a promoter for... 

The treatment for methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning is the same. The patient is given intravenous infusions of diluted ethanol. The ADH enzyme is swamped by all the ethanol, allowing time for the kidneys to excrete most of the methanol (or ethylene glycol) before it can be oxidized to formic acid (or oxalic acid). This is an example of competitive inhibition of an enzyme. The enzyme catalyzes oxidation of both ethanol and methanol, but a large quantity of ethanol ties up the enzyme, allowing time for excretion of most of the methanol before it is oxidized. 

SAFETY PROFILE A human poison by an unspecified route. Poison experimentally by inhalation. An eye, mucous membrane, and systemic irritant by inhalation. Mutation data reported. A common air contaminant. Difficult to ignite. Explosion hazard when exposed to flame or in a fire. NH3 + air in a fire can detonate. Potentially violent or explosive reactions on contact with interhalogens (e.g., bromine pentafluoride, chlorine trifluoride), 1,2-dichloroethane (with liquid NH3), boron halides, chloroformamideium nitrate, ethylene oxide (polymerization reaction), magnesium... 

SAFETY PROFILE A poison. Mildly toxic by inhalation. Used for the sterilization of vacuum chambers. See also ETHYLENE OXIDE. 

OSHA PEL TWA 1 mg(Fe)/m3 ACGIH TLV TWA 1 mg(Fe)/m3 DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and intravenous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Corrosive. Probably an eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant. Mutation data reported. Reacts with water to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Catalyzes potentially explosive polymerization of ethylene oxide, chlorine + monomers (e.g., styrene). Forms shock-sensitive explosive mixtures with some metals (e.g., potassium, sodium). Violent reaction with allyl chloride. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of HCl. 

SAFETY PROFILE A poison by subcutaneous route. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. Catalyzes the potentially explosive polymerization of ethylene oxide. Explosive reaction when heated with guanidinium perchlorate. Reaction with carbon monoxide may form an explosive product. Potentially violent reaction with hydrogen peroxide. 

OSHA PEL TWA 2 mg(Sn)/m3 ACGIH TLV IW A 2 mg(SnVm3 SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Human mutation data reported. Potentially explosive reaction with metal nitrates. Violent reactions with hydrogen peroxide, ethylene oxide, hydra2ine hydrate, nitrates, K, Na. Ignition on contact with bromine trifluoride. A vigorous reaction with calcium acetylide is initiated by flame. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cl. See also TIN COMPOUNDS. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by inhalation. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Combustible by chemical reaction. Upon contact with moisture, considerable heat is generated. Violent reaction with K, Na, turpentine, ethylene oxide, alkyl nitrates. Dangerous hydrochloric acid is liberated on contact with moisture or heat. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of CL. See also HYDROCHLORIC ACID. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intravenous route. Moderately toxic by subcutaneous and rectal routes. Mildly toxic by inhalation. A ver). dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Self-reactive. Moderately explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. Can react with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, stop flow of gas. Potentially explosive reaction with bromine + heat, ethylene oxide, triethynylaluminum. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also AMINES. 

Ethylene oxide Detachment of H Ring opening 1 2 poisoning -5 -7 -33 -76 -0.09... 

The reaction of 9-anthrylcarbene with the polymers can affect the C-H bonds of various groupings of the macromolecules. Hence, if a predominantly identical structure of the bridge between the anthracene group and the poisoner chain is required, it is advisable to use the carbene method for bonding the LM to polymers with one type of C—H bonds (polyethylene, poly(ethylene oxide) etc.). 

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