Ethylene oxide
Properties
of ethylene oxide is described
below
PHYSICAL STATE;
APPEARANCE:
COLOURLESS COMPRESSED
LIQUEFIED GAS , WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.
PHYSICAL DANGERS:
The gas is heavier than air and may travel along the ground; distant
ignition possible.
CHEMICAL DANGERS:
The substance may polymerize due to heating, under the influence of
acids, bases, metal chlorides and metal oxides with fire or explosion
hazard. The substance decomposes in the absence of air on heating above
560°C , causing fire and explosion hazard. Reacts violently with many
compounds.
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
TLV: 1 ppm A2 (ACGIH 2001).
MAC: 2 (DFG 2000).
OSHA PEL: 1910.1047 TWA 1 ppm 5 ppm 15-minute Excursion
NIOSH REL: Ca TWA <0.1 ppm (0.18 mg/m3) C 5 ppm (9 mg/m3)
10-min/day
NIOSH IDLH: Potential occupational carcinogen 800 ppm
ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
The substance can be
absorbed into the body by inhalation and through the skin in water
solution.
INHALATION RISK:
A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very
quickly on loss of containment.
EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The vapour is irritating to the eyes , the skin and the respiratory
tract . Water solution may cause skin blisters. Rapid evaporation of the
liquid may cause frostbite.
EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated
or prolonged inhalation exposure may cause asthma. The substance may
have effects on the nervous system. This substance is carcinogenic to
humans. May cause heritable genetic damage to human germ cells.
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For more information see website:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0155.html
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