What does EO stand for in chemistry?
Ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide is a flammable gas that dissolves readily in water. It is a man-made chemical used primarily to make ethylene glycol (a chemical used to make anti freeze and polyester). It is also used to sterilise medical equipment and supplies.
What is EO gas?
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 propylene oxide used for?
Most propylene oxide is used as an intermediate in the production of polyether polyols for polyurethane foams, and in the production of propylene glycol for unsaturated polyester resins. Minor quantities are used for sterilizing medical equipment and for fumigating foodstuffs [IARC 1976].
What is ethanol oxide used for?
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.
What products contain EO?
Ethylene oxide uses include:
- Adhesives.
- Agricultural insecticide.
- Antifreeze.
- Chemicals used to create fabrics for clothes, pillows and carpets.
- Cosmetics.
- Detergents.
- Fiberglass used in jet skis, bowling balls and other products.
- Herbicide.
What is EtO in organic chemistry?
Ethylene oxide is an organic compound with the formula C. 2H. 4. O. It is a cyclic ether and the simplest epoxide: a three-membered ring consisting of one oxygen atom and two carbon atoms.
Is EtO safe?
Exposure to ETO can cause eye pain, sore throat, difficulty breathing and blurred vision. Exposure can also cause dizziness, nausea, headache, convulsions, blisters and vomiting and coughing. In a variety of in vitro and animal studies, ETO has been demonstrated to be carcinogenic.
Is EtO sterilization banned?
EO is not banned by any U.S. regulatory agencies. According to EOSA, over 4 billion pounds of EO is produced each year in the United States. While most of the EO is used to make common house hold products such as detergents, polyester, cosmetics and antifreeze, only a small fraction is used for sterilization.
Who uses propylene oxide?
Propylene oxide is used in the production of polyethers (the primary component of polyurethane foams) and propylene glycol. Acute (short-term) exposure of humans and animals to propylene oxide has caused eye and respiratory tract irritation.
What is the difference between propylene oxide and propylene glycol?
Polypropylene glycol or polypropylene oxide is the polymer of propylene glycol. The term “oxide” is used for high molar mass polymer when end-groups no longer affect polymer properties. Between 60 and 70% of propylene oxide is converted to polyether polyols by the process called alkoxylation.
Does ethylene cause infertility?
EtO is a reproductive toxin. In adult male rats, exposure produces decreased fertility, increased fetal deaths, and heritable chromosomal translocations.
