Ethylene oxide (EtO) is produced in large volumes and is primarily used as an intermediate in the production of several industrial chemicals, the most notable of which is ethylene glycol. It is also used as a fumigant in certain agricultural products and as a sterilant for medical equipment and supplies.
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What is EtO used for?
ETO is used in healthcare facilities to sterilize critical items (and sometimes semicritical items) that are moisture or heat sensitive and cannot be sterilized by steam sterilization.
What is EtO found in?
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a flammable, colorless gas at temperatures above 51.3 ºF (10.7 ºC) that smells like ether at toxic levels. EtO is found in the production of solvents, antifreeze, textiles, detergents, adhesives, polyurethane foam, and pharmaceuticals.
What is ethylene oxide?
Definition of ethylene oxide : a colorless flammable toxic compound C2H4O used especially in synthesis (as of ethylene glycol) and in sterilization and fumigation.
What is the full form of Eto?
Last Updated On: 19/02/2022.
What is another name for ethylene oxide?
Ethylene oxide (chemical formula C2H4O) is an important industrial chemical. It is also known as epoxyethane (IUPAC name), oxirane, and dimethylene oxide.
What is the difference between EO and EtO?
Ethylene Oxide Processing. Ethylene oxide (also known as EO or EtO) is a low temperature gaseous process widely used to sterilize a variety of healthcare products, such as single-use medical devices.
Is ethylene oxide still used?
Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is an EPA-registered antimicrobial pesticide used to sterilize medical equipment and spices. It is the only sterilization method available for many medical devices and approximately 50 percent of all sterile medical devices in the United States are treated with EtO annually.
How is ethylene oxide produced?
Ethylene oxide can be produced by reacting oxygen (O2) and ethylene (C2H4) at temperatures of 200 – 300°C and pressures of 10 – 20 bara. The typical yield of this reaction is up to 80 – 90%.
What is ethylene oxide effects on humans?
Lymphoma and leukemia are the cancers most frequently reported to be associated with occupational exposure to ethylene oxide. Stomach and breast cancers may also be associated with ethylene oxide exposure.
Is ethylene harmful to humans?
* Ethylene gas can affect you when breathed in. * Skin contact with liquid Ethylene can cause frostbite. * Exposure to Ethylene can cause headache, dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, confusion and unconsciousness. * Ethylene is a HIGHLY FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE chemical and a DANGEROUS FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD.
Why is ethylene oxide used in food?
Ethylene oxide is used in the dried fruit industry to stop microbial spoilage in prunes and, presumably, these treatments are also insecticidal. Ethylene oxide has been used for over 40 years for both insecticidal treatments and for the sterilization of foodstuffs.
Is ethylene oxide a gas or liquid?
Ethylene Oxide is a colorless gas or liquid with an Ether-like odor. It is used to make other chemicals, and as a sterilant and fumigant.
What does ETO stand for in time off?
Regular staff receives an allotment of Earned Time Off (ETO) days which accrues each pay period. The number of days allotted is dependent upon the position. ETO may be used for any purpose the employee wishes, including vacations, unpaid holidays, illness or time away from work for personal or family matters.
What does Ito stand for?
Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO)
Does ethylene oxide occur naturally?
In addition to its industrial uses, ethylene oxide also occurs naturally in our bodies from metabolizing food. We all have some ethylene oxide in our bodies. Exposures to ethylene oxide in the air we breathe can add to our natural levels.
Can EtO penetrate plastic?
Because ethylene oxide (EtO) can sterilize at low temperatures, the main advantage of this gas for hospital sterilization is that it will not damage heat sensitive materials, such as plastics.
What is EO used to sterilize?
Currently, ethylene oxide gas is used to sterilize 50% of all medical supplies that require that high level of disinfection — everything from plastic surgical gowns to syringes, catheters, bandages, gauze, and pacemakers.
What are the 3 types of sterilization?
- Steam Sterilization.
- Dry Heat Sterilization.
- Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Sterilization.
Is ethylene oxide safe in food?
The use of ethylene oxide is prohibited in food production as the substance can have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.
Who uses ethylene oxide?
Ethylene oxide is most commonly used in the production of other chemicals including the production of solvents, antifreeze, detergents, adhesives, polyurethane foam and pharmaceuticals.
What foods contain Eto?
Ethylene oxide was also recently found in the additive locust bean gum, which is mainly a thickening agent or stabilizer. It is used in foods including ice cream, breakfast cereals, meat products, confectionery, fermented milk products and cheese.
Is ethylene oxide harmful to the environment?
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to protect air quality and directs different approaches to address different types of air pollution. Ethylene oxide is a hazardous air pollutant, also referred to as a toxic air pollutant or air toxic. There are 187 different toxic air pollutants regulated by EPA.
How much ethylene oxide is safe?
LEGAL EXPOSURE LIMITS This is about equal to 1.8 milligrams of ethylene oxide per cubic meter of air (1.8 “mg/m3”). Legally, your exposure may be above the PEL at times, but only if it is below the PEL at other times, so that your average exposure for any 8-hour workshift is 1 ppm or less.
Do hospitals use ethylene oxide?
Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilizers have been used by hospitals for over 40 years to sterilize surgical equipment and supplies that are heat sensitive or that cannot tolerate excessive moisture.