Skin contact with ethylene oxide

Ethylene oxide is a toxic liquid and gas. Contact of the eyes with liquid ethylene oxide can cause severe irritation and corneal injury. Eye contact with the vapor can cause moderate irritation. Skin contact with the liquid or vapor or water solutions can cause severe delayed chemical bums. Inhalation of vapor will cause irritation of the respiratory tract, which may result in headache, nausea, and vomiting. All cases of inhalation or contact with ethylene oxide liquid or vapor must receive immediate first aid action followed by medical attention. 

Because of its carcinogenicity, flammabihty, and reactivity, ethylene oxide should be handled using the "basic prudent practices" of Chapter 5.C, supplemented by the additional precautions for work with compounds of high chronic toxicity (Chapter 5.D) and extremely flammahle substances (Chapter 5.F). In particular, work with ethylene oxide should he conducted in a fume hood to prevent exposure by inhalation, and appropriate impermeable gloves and splash goggles should be worn at aU times to prevent skin and eye contact. Ethylene oxide should be used only in areas free of ignition sources and should he stored in the cold in tightly sealed containers placed within a secondary container. 

Skin contact Leather objects that become contaminated with ethylene oxide, such as shoes, belts, and watchbands, cannot be decontaminated and should be discarded. If they continue to be worn, skin bums or allergic rashes may result. Skin bums from exposure to aqueous solutions of ethylene oxide should receive copious irrigation with normal saline followed by the application of a topical antimicrobial agent, such as silver sulfadiazine cream, and a dressing. Signs of skin damage may not appear for up to 5 hours following skin exposure. 

Short-term exposure to ethylene oxide vapor at high concentrations can cause nausea, shortness of breath, central nervous system depression, and irritation of mucous membranes in humans. The compound is also described as a protoplasmic poison. Dilute solutions of ethylene oxide can cause skin blistering, edema, irritation, and necrosis and eye irritation and necrosis. Skin contact with liquid ethylene oxide will usually cause bums, and even short-term skin exposure can lead to skin blisters. Some acute cases of poisoning have been reported. Usually, nausea and vomiting are delayed and, after they occur, there can be profound weakness of the extremities, convulsive seizures, and secondary lung infection. A summary of the toxicological effects of ethylene oxide and a referenced summary of acute effects such as LDjo and LC50 data are available (1), as is current information in manufacturers material safety data sheets (2). 

Contact of solutions of ethylene oxide with the skin of human volunteers caused characteristic burns after a latent period of 1-5 hours, effects were edema and erythema and progression to vesiculation, with a tendency to coalescence into blebs, and desquamation. Complete healing without treatment usually occurred within 21 days with, in some cases, residual brown pigmentation. Application of the liquid to the skin caused frostbite three of the eight volunteers were said to have become sensitized to ethylene oxide solutions. The undiluted liquid or solutions may cause severe eye irritation or damage. 

The reagent has b.p. 11 °C and is supplied either in 100-ml sealed tubes or in 100-ml cylinders equipped with an appropriate valve. The gas, which is highly flammable, has no very distinctive smell and must be regarded as a hazardous toxic reagent which must not be inhaled or allowed to come into contact with the skin and eyes. Precautions in the use of ethylene oxide are described in Expt 5.39, which may be regarded as typical. 

Irritant dermatitis does not involve an immune response and is typically caused by contact with corrosive substances that exhibit extremes of pH, oxidizing capability, dehydrating action, or tendency to dissolve skin lipids. In extreme cases of exposure, skin cells are destroyed and a permanent scar results. This condition is known as a chemical burn. Exposure to concentrated sulfuric acid, which exhibits extreme acidity, or to concentrated nitric acid, which denatures skin protein, can cause bad chemical bums. The strong oxidant action of 30% hydrogen peroxide likewise causes a chemical bum. Other chemicals causing chemical bums include ammonia, quicklime (CaO), chlorine, ethylene oxide, hydrogen halides, methyl bromide, nitrogen oxides, elemental white phosporous, phenol, alkali metal hydroxides (NaOH, KOH), and toluene diisocyanate. 

SAFETY PROFILE A human poison by inhalation. Experimental poison by inhalation, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion and skin contact. Experimental reproductive effects. Corrosive. A severe skin and eye irritant. An allergen and sensitizer. Mutation data reported. Flammable liquid when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Can react violently with acetic acid, acetic anhydride, acrolein, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, aUyl chloride, CS2, chlorosulfonic acid, epichlorohydrin, ethylene chlorohydrin, HCl, mesityl oxide, HNO3, oleum, AgC104, H2SO4, p-propiolactone, or vinyl acetate. To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical, alcohol foam. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx and NH3. See also AMINES. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 6.1 Label Poison SAFETY PROFILE A poison by ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, intraperitoneal, intravenous, and subcutaneous routes. Moderately toxic to humans by inhalation. It can affect the nervous system, liver, spleen, and lungs. An experimental teratogen. Mutation data reported. A severe eye and mild skin irritant. Flammable liquid when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. To fight fire, use alcohol foam, CO2, dry chemical. Violent reaction with chlorosulfonic acid, ethylene diamine, sodium hydroxide. Reacts with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. Potentially violent reaction with oxidizing materials. When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of CT and phosgene. See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, 7M.IPHATIC. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 5.1 Label Oxidizer SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal route. Severe skin and eye irritant. A powerful oxidizer which has caused many explosions in industry. Potentially explosive reactions with alkenes (above 220°C), ammonia, arjl hydrazine + ether, dimethyl sulfoxide + heat, ethylene oxide, fluorobutane + water, organic materials, phosphorus, trimethyl phosphate. Reacts to form explosive products with ethanol (forms ethyl perchlorate), cellulose + dinitrogen tetraoxide + oxygen (forms cellulose nitrate). Avoid contact with mineral acids, butyl fluorides, hydrocarbons. A drying agent. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of MgO and Cr. See also MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS and PERCHLORATES. 

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. 

Minimal irritation is another essential property for shampoos because the products can easily come into contact with sensitive parts of the body, including the eyes, during the hair washing process. Studies on skin irritation by surfactants show that irritation is usually not a problem with the long-chain alkyl sulfates [5-9], The presence of ethylene oxide groups reduces the irritation of these materials. 

Contact with an aqueous solution of ethylene oxide on skin can produce severe bums after a delay period of a few hours. It may be absorbed by plastic, leather, and rubber materials if not handled properly, and can cause severe skin irritation. 

Toxicology ACGIH TLV/TWA 2 mg(Sn)/m LD50 (IP, mouse) 101 mg/kg LC50 (inh., raL 10 min) 2300 m m poison by IP route mod. toxic by inh. conesive imtant to skin, eyes, mucous membranes causes bums imtating to respiratory system TSCA listed Precaution DOT Conesive material evolves heat on contact with moisture liberates HCI on contact with moisture or heat violent reaction with K, Na, turpentine, ethylene oxide, or alkyl nitrates Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits toxic fumes of CL Storage Moisture-sensitive keep well stoppered Uses Electroconductive/electroluminescent coatings textile dye mordant ... 

Definition Mixture of laurate esters of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides, with 4 moles ethylene oxide Properties HLB 13.3 nonionic Toxicology Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal, intravenous routes mildly toxic by ingestion skin irritant TSCA listed Uses Emulsifier for PVC polymerization solubilizer for colorants dye leveling agent emulsifier, solubilizer, wetting agent for cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceuticals corrosion inhibitor antistat, fiber lubricant for textiles in resinous/polymeric food-contact coatings... 

In the event of skin contact, immediately wash with soap and water and remove contaminated clothing. In case of eye eontact, promptly wash with copious amounts of water for 15 min (lifting upper and lower hds occasionally) and obtain medical attention. If ethylene oxide is ingested, obtain medical attention immediately. If large amounts of this compound are inhaled, move the person to fresh air and seek medical attention at once. 

A. Ethylene oxide can cause bodily harm if you inhale the vapor, if it oomes into contact with your eyes or skin, or if you swallow it. 

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