Ethylene oxide: an invisible but serious health risk
Working safely in an environment with ethylene oxide starts with clean air
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colourless gas used in the sterilisation of medical equipment. What many people do not realise is that it is highly harmful to human health. Even at low concentrations it poses a risk to employees working in warehouses where these products are stored.
During storage, the gas can continue to be released from cardboard packaging and from beneath plastic wrapping for months. This release occurs gradually and, because the gas is invisible and has a high odour threshold, concentrations in warehouses can increase significantly.
Exposure poses serious health risks. Because of the severity of its health effects, there is no safe exposure threshold from a health perspective. Nevertheless, insight into workplace concentrations is often lacking.
Why is ethylene oxide dangerous?
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colourless gas with a high odour threshold. It is recognised as a CMR substance: carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction. EtO is among the most hazardous substances found in the workplace and can cause both immediate and long-term health effects.
- Carcinogenic (Category 1B)
EtO is classified as carcinogenic by organisations including the EU and the WHO. Even low exposure over a prolonged period may contribute to the development of cancer, particularly leukaemia and lymphomas. - Acute health risks
Inhalation may immediately cause breathing difficulties, headaches, nausea, dizziness and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. - Long-term effects
Chronic exposure increases the risk of DNA damage, nerve damage and fertility problems. Concentration and memory disorders may also occur. - An invisible hazard
Because EtO cannot be smelled at low concentrations, the risk is often detected too late, with serious consequences. - Legislation sets strict exposure limits. In practice, however, these limits are regularly exceeded without additional control measures, particularly in warehouses and sterilisation facilities.
Exposure limit
Even below the Dutch legal exposure limit of 0.46 parts per million (ppm) or 0.84 mg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), EtO must be actively minimised according to the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). When measured exposure exceeds 10% of the legal limit, employers must take active measures to further reduce exposure.
Would you like to know the EtO concentration in your workplace?
Measuring is knowing. The presence of EtO cannot easily be determined by sight or smell. That is why Euromate works with a network of independent measurement specialists who are experienced in detecting gases such as ethylene oxide. Based on their measurements, we provide targeted advice on how to reduce concentrations.
Step-by-step approach
- Assessment of risks in your workspace
- Measurement by an independent expert
- Tailored advice on an air filtration solution
- Installation of the HF ETO air cleaning system
- Verification and safeguarding of air quality
The right solution for ethylene oxide filtration
Frequently asked questions about ethylene oxide in the workplace
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colourless gas commonly used for sterilising medical equipment.
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colourless and volatile gas. It is widely used to sterilise medical devices and laboratory instruments. Despite these useful applications, EtO is also a hazardous substance with serious health risks, particularly when it is released into working environments.
ContactNo, and that makes it particularly dangerous. Exposure is harmful, and without targeted measurements the risk often remains unnoticed and unresolved.
The first step is gaining insight into air quality. We work with a network of specialists to assess EtO concentrations in the workplace. If measurements show that action is required, we advise on appropriate solutions, such as the specially developed ETO air cleaner, which reduces the concentration of ethylene oxide in the air.
Would you also like to work more safely with ethylene oxide?
