The ITRC Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Emissions Guidance (2023) was developed to support the evolution of EtO understanding in recent years. The goal of this training course is to inform and educate stakeholders on EtO and communication strategies. Information presented in this training course includes:
- Characteristics of EtO
- Explanation of health hazards
- Best practices for sampling and analyzing EtO concentrations
- Best practices for community outreach and engaging with stakeholders
EtO is a flammable, colorless, and reactive gas that is listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The target audience for this training course includes state regulators and environmental consultants, as well as community and tribal stakeholders.
Ethylene oxide is used in the manufacturing process to make products (e.g., antifreeze, plastics, adhesives), to sterilize products (e.g., single-use medical devices, wound care dressings), to fumigate and eradicate pests from some foods (e.g., spices), and can be a by-product of anthropogenic activities. Inhalation is the primary route of human exposure to EtO. The World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and other health agencies categorize EtO as a human carcinogen.