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Ethylene Oxide Fact Sheet

Ethylene oxide poses serious hazards to human health; it was recently upgraded to a known human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program. In 1996, United States manufacturers consumed over 8.8 billion pounds of ethylene oxide, primarily as an intermediary chemical in the manufacture of ethylene glycols, glycol ethers, ethanolamines, and surface-active agents (surfactants). Some businesses and hospitals use ethylene oxide directly as a sterilant or fumigant as it effectively kills microbial organisms. In Massachusetts, only one facility uses ethylene oxide in large quantities to sterilize disposable medical equipment.

File Name: Fact Sheet Ethylene Oxide 2003.pdf
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