The liquid has a characteristic ether-like odor. Ethylene oxide is completely miscible with water, alcohol, acetone, benzene, ether, and most organic solvents. Its vapors are inflammable and explosive. It is relatively stable in aqueous solutions or when diluted with carbon dioxide or halocarbons, but it may undergo slow polymerization during storage. Ethylene oxide is highly reactive and potentially explosive when heated or in the presence of alkali metal hydroxides and highly active catalytic surfaces.
Incomplete combustion releases carbon monoxide.
The primary use of ethylene oxide is as an intermediate in the production of several industrial chemicals, most notably, ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is used primarily in automotive antifreeze and polyester is used in fibers, films, and bottles. Ethylene oxide has also been used in flame retardants and to accelerate the maturing of tobacco leaves. The 1979 TSCA Inventory identified 18 manufacturers producing 3.4 billion lb of ethylene oxide in 1977. Because of the potential hazards of shipping bulk quantities of ethylene oxide, some producers have reportedly limited shipments to areas immediately proximate or within 50 miles of the producing point.