| Chemical Abstract Number (CAS #) |
75218
|
|---|
| Synonyms | Ethylene oxide |
|---|
Oxirane |
| Analytical Methods |
EPA Method 8240B |
|---|
EPA Method 8260A |
| Molecular Formula | C2H4O |
|---|
| Use | RIPENING AGENT FOR FRUITS, FUNGISTAT
INACTIVATES KREB'S ASCITES TUMOR CELLS
TO ACCELERATE THE MATURING OF TOBACCO LEAVES
ROCKET PROPELLANT
FUMIGANT FOR FOODSTUFFS & TEXTILES; IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS; STERILIZE
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; AGRICULTURAL FUNGICIDE
STARTING MATERIAL FOR MFR OF ACRYLONITRILE AND NONIONIC
SURFACTANTS.
USEFUL FOR FUMIGATING INSECTS IN PACKAGED CEREALS, BAGGED RICE,
TOBACCO, & CLOTHING & FURS IN VAULTS. IT IS ALSO USED IN VAULTS FOR
FUMIGATING VALUABLE PACKAGED DOCUMENTS.
FOR TREATMENT BY FUMIGATION OF BOOKS; DENTAL, PHARMACEUTICAL,
MEDICAL & SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES, DRUGS; LEATHER; MOTOR
OIL; PAPER; SOIL; BEDDING FOR EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS; FURNITURE; &
TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES .
Formation of diethylene glycol, the cellosolves and carbitols, dioxane, ethylene chlorohydrin and
polymer (carbowax); intermediate for polyethylene terephthalate polyester fiber.
CHEM INTERMEDIATE
STERILANT & SPOROCIDE-EG, IN HEALTH CARE INDUST
Used as a fumigation agent on beehives (empty and diseased), beekeeping equipment .
Used on hospital equipment including: hypodermic needles/syringes, surgical prosthetic parts,
heart and lung machines, dental, hospital and laboratory instruments, heat labile materials,
moisture labile materials, oral and inhalation equipment, diagnostic instruments/equipment,
hospital critical rubber, plastic items, hospital critical equipment, thermometers, laboratory
equipment, pharmaceutical equipment, stainless steel surfaces; and on hospital fabrics, materials,
paper products, sheeting, grooming instruments.
Chemical intermediate for ethylene glycols, ethanolamines, glycol ethers & surfactants.
|
|---|
| Consumption Patterns | CHEM INT FOR ETHYLENE GLYCOL, 60.5%; CHEM INT FOR NONIONIC
SURFACTANTS (ACYCLIC), 7.1%; CHEM INT FOR NONIONIC SURFACTANTS
(CYCLIC), 4.6%; CHEM INT FOR GLYCOL ETHERS, 7.2%; CHEM INT FOR
ETHANOLAMINES, 7.1%; CHEM INT FOR DIETHYLENE GLYCOL, 5.1%; CHEM INT
FOR TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL, 2.1%; CHEM INT FOR POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL, 1.6%;
OTHER, 4.7% (1981)
Monoethylene glycol, 59%; higher glycols, 15%; ethoxylates, 10%; ethanolamines, 6%; glycol
ethers, 5%; miscellaneous, 5% (1984)
CHEMICAL PROFILE: Ethylene oxide. Ethylene glycol, 59%; nonionic surfactants, 14%;
ethanolamines, 8%; glycol ethers, 6%; diethylene glycol, 6%, triethylene glycol, 2%;
miscellaneous, including polyethylene glycol, urethane polyols and exports, 5%.
CHEMICAL PROFILE: Ethylene oxide. Demand: 1986: 5.7 billion lb; 1987: 5.8 billion lb; 1991
/projected/: 6.4 billion lb.
CHEMICAL PROFILE: Ethylene oxide. Ethylene glycol, 59%; nonionic surfactants, 13%;
ethanolamines, 8%; glycol ethers, 6%; diethylene glycol, 6%, triethylene glycol, 2%;
miscellaneous, including polyethylene glycol, urethane polyols and exports, 6%.
CHEMICAL PROFILE: Ethylene oxide. Demand: 1989: 5.8 billion lb; 1990 projected/: 5.9
billion lb; 1994 projected/: 6.4 billion lb. (Imports and exports are negligible, each on the order of
25 million lb per year.)
|
|---|
| Apparent Color | COLORLESS GAS @ ORDINARY ROOM TEMP & PRESSURE; LIQUID BELOW
12 DEG C
|
|---|
| Odor | Sweet ; ETHER-LIKE ODOR ; Reminiscent of bruised apples
|
|---|
| Boiling Point | 10.7 DEG C @ 760 MM HG
|
|---|
| Melting Point | -112.5 DEG C
|
|---|
| Molecular Weight | 44.06
|
|---|
| Density | 0.8222 @ 10 DEG C/10 DEG C
|
|---|
| Odor Threshold Concentration | 50 ppm
Recognition: 1.5 mg/cu m= 0.8 ppm, mean detection concn: 700 ppm; absolute perception limit:
260 ppm; 50% recognition: 500 ppm; 100% recognition: 500 ppm
Low: 520 mg/cu m; High: 1400 mg/cu m
|
|---|
| Sensitivity Data | Aqueous solutions of ethylene oxide or solutions formed when the anhydrous cmpd comes
in contact with moist skin are irritating and may lead to a severe dermatitis with blisters, blebs and
burns. It is also absorbed by leather and rubber and may produce burns or irritation. Allergic
eczematous dermatitis has also been reported. Exposure to the vapor in high concn leads to
irritation of the eyes. Severe eye damage may result if the liquid is splashed in the eyes. Large
amounts of ethylene oxide evaporating from the skin may cause frostbite.
|
|---|
| Environmental Impact | Ethylene oxide will primarily enter the atmosphere in association with its production and
use as a chemical intermediate as well as its relatively minor use as a sterilant and fumigant. From
its industrial use, some ethylene oxide will be discharged into water. Once in the atmosphere it
will degrade by reaction with hydroxyl-radicals (estimated half-life 1 wk) or return to earth in rain.
Releases into water will be removed by evaporation, hydrolysis and to a lesser extent,
biodegradation. The half-life for its removal from the aquatic environment will range from hours
to 2 wks. Ethylene oxide will not adsorb strongly to soil or bioconcentrate in fish, although its
presence in some food items may result from its use as a fumigant and sterilant. Major human
exposure will be from occupational atmospheres.
|
|---|
| Environmental Fate | TERRESTRIAL FATE: When released on land, ethylene oxide would tend to volatilize
rapidly. It is miscible in water and poorly adsorbed to soil so leaching into the groundwater is
likely to occur. Although experimental data is lacking, hydrolysis in soil is probable.
AQUATIC FATE: When released into water ethylene oxide will primarily be lost by three
processes: volatilization, hydrolysis and biodegradation in that order of importance. Volatilization
will depend on wind and mixing conditions and would be expected to occur in hours to days. The
half-life for hydrolysis is 9-14 days leading to biodegradable products. Because of the lack of data,
it is difficult to estimate the rate of biodegradation; the available data would suggest that the
biodegradation rate is slower than the volatilization and hyrdrolysis rates. Ethylene oxide would
not tend to adsorb to sediment. In groundwater, ethylene oxide will degrade due to
hydrolysis.
ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Ethylene oxide will degrade in the atmosphere primarily by reaction
with hydroxyl radicals. Based on limited experimental data, one would estimate the half-life of
ethylene oxide in the atmosphere to be approximately 1 week. Since ethylene oxide is miscible in
water, one would expect it to wash out in rain.
EFFL: Detected, not quantified in 1 effluent sample in Brandenburg, KY in Feb 1974, a
production facility(1,2).
|
|---|
