Key Points

Fire

• Extremely flammable
• Reacts with water, strong acids, alkalis and oxidisers; chlorides of iron, tin, and aluminium; and oxides of iron and aluminium.
• Emits toxic fumes of carbon dioxide when heated to decomposition. Incomplete combustion releases carbon monoxide
• In the event of a fire involving ethylene oxide, use fine water spray and liquid tight chemical protective clothing with breathing apparatus

Health

• Toxic by inhalation and dermal exposure
• CHIP: Extremely flammable, carcinogen, mutagen, toxic and irritant
• Inhalation causes irritation to eyes, nose and respiratory tract causing coughing, burning sensation in the mouth, dyspnoea, laryngospasm and bronchospasm
• Systemic effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, extrapyramidal features, myocardial ischaemia and arrhythmias. Coma, cardiovascular collapse and respiratory arrest may occur in severe cases.
• Dermal exposure causes erythema, blistering and ulceration. Systemic features of toxicity may occur
• Ingestion causes irritation to mucous membranes causing ulceration and pain
• Ocular exposure causes irritation to eyes resulting in corneal damage and conjunctivitis.

Environment

• Avoid release into the environment
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial incidents

 

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• Incident Management (PDF, 127 KB)
  Ethylene Oxide - Incident Management
  Added/updated: 24 May 2011