NCIt definition : Colorless, odorless, flammable, toxic gaseous cyclic ether with a sweet ether-like
smell. Ethylene oxide is used especially in the synthesis of ethylene glycol and as
a sterilizing agent for medical supplies and foods, as a fumigant and as an insecticide.
Exposure to this substance is highly irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory
tract, induces nausea and vomiting and causes central nervous system depression. Ethylene
oxide is mutagenic in humans and chronic exposure is associated with an increased
risk of leukemia, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. (NCI05);