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Ethylene Oxide Detection

Ethylene Oxide Detection

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene oxide is an organic compound with chemical formula C2H4O. Its also called Oxirane, Epoxyethane, Dimethylene oxide and EtO. This colourless, flammable gas with a faintly sweet odour is the simplest epoxide, a three-membered ring consisting of two carbon and one oxygen atom.
 
Commonly handled and shipped as a refrigerated liquid, it is the chief precursor to ethylene glycol and other high-volume chemicals and is also used for medical sterilisation. Ethylene oxide is produced by oxidation of ethylene with oxygen at circa 250°C over a catalyst comprised of metallic silver supported on alumina.
 
Ethylene oxide is toxic by inhalation. Symptoms of overexposure include headache and dizziness, progressing to convulsions, seizure and coma with increased exposure. It is also an irritant to the skin and the respiratory tract, whereby inhaling the vapours may cause the lungs to fill with fluid several hours after exposure.
 
Ethylene Oxide Characteristics
Synonyms EtO, Oxirane, 1,2-Epoxyethane
CAS No. 75-21-8
Chemical formula C2H4O
Vapour density 1.52 (air = 1)
Safe Work Australia ES TWA 1 ppm (Category 2 carcinogen) (1)
STEL --
Flammable limits LEL 2.6 % by volume
UEL 100 % by volume (2)
Equipment group IIB
Temperature classification T2
Chemical/physical properties EtO, at room temperature, is a colourless gas with an ether-like odour. It is reportedly detectable by smell at concentrations above 260 ppm.
EtO is extremely flammable and is subject to explosive decomposition under certain conditions (e.g. if heated to 570 °C).
Hazardous properties Apart from its flammability, EtO, if inhaled or by skin contact, can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose and throat; nausea; headache; breathing difficulties and drowsiness. It is suspected of being associated with increased risk of leukaemia, pancreatic cancer, Hodgkin’s disease and spontaneous abortion.
Occurrence/Uses The main uses of EtO are as an intermediate in the chemical industry for the production of substances such as ethylene glycol and as a sterilising agent for heat sensitive items in medical facilities.
Detectors available Electrochemical (0 – 100 ppm)
Photoionisation (PID) (0 – 20,000 ppm)
Gas detector tube (0.1 ppm – 4.0 % by volume)
Suggested alarm levels Lo: 1 ppm
Hi: 3 ppm
Notes (1) Probable human carcinogen.
(2) EtO can ignite in the absence of air if heated to 570 °C.

 

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