EPA has not established an RfD or an RfC for ethylene oxide. These effects could be seen from acute, as well as chronic, exposure. Various adverse reproductive effects have been noted in animal studies including decreased number of implantation sites, decreased testicular weights and sperm concentration, and testicular degeneration. However, the data are considered to be limited and inconclusive due to the small number of individuals studied and uncertainties about the exposure levels. Animal studies have shown lung, gland, and uterine tumors caused by inhalation exposure to ethylene oxide.
Ethylene oxide is very soluble in water and is flammable.
Ethylene oxide has an odor threshold of 430 ppm. Toxicological Profile for Ethylene Oxide . U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Toxicology Information Program, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. 1993.