Ethylene oxideProperties 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. Click here for help with converting units
For more information see website:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0155.html | 
