Ethylene oxide

Domestic production of ethylene oxide in 1996 was 625 kilotonnes, 95% of which was used in the manufacture of ethylene glycol. An estimated 4% was used in the manufacture of surfactants. Ethylene oxide is also used as a sterilant for health care materials and other heat-sensitive products. Anthropogenic sources, released an estimated 47 tonnes, all to the atmosphere, in 2000. Of this total, 29 tonnes were released from sterilization applications and 18 tonnes by the chemical industry.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 75-21-8

Risk Assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:

   

  
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Source(s)

This substance is entering the environment from the following source(s):

• Chemical Industry
• Environmental Emergency
• Sterilization Sector

Risk Management Strategy

Click on the following link to view strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Risk Management Strategy For Ethylene Oxide (version of June 27, 2003)

Risk Management Tool(s)

Tool(s) developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Determination of the Ethylene Oxide Control Efficiency from Catalytic Oxidizers - A Guidance Document
• Determination of the Ethylene Oxide Control Efficiency from Catalytic Oxidizers - Reference Method for Source Testing
• Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Releases from Sterilization Applications
• Environmental Emergency Regulations
• CCPA And Governments Of Canada, Ontario And Alberta Memorandum Of Understanding For Environmental Protection Through Action Under CCPA Responsible CareŽ

Consultation

Consultation (past and present) on the substance:

• Consultation on the Proposed Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Releases from Sterilization Applications (archived consultation document)
• Draft Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Emissions from Sterilization Applications (archived consultation document)
• Meeting Report - Consultation on the Risk Management of Ethylene Oxide Used for Sterilization in the Healthcare Sector (June 2003)

Other Information

• Fact Sheet On The Risk Management Of Ethylene Oxide In The Sterilization Sector
• Questions and Answers on the Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Releases from Sterilization Applications
• Questions and Answers Regarding the Testing of Ethylene Oxide Releases
• Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Releases from Sterilization Applications (Revised Draft)
• Revisions to the Proposed Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Releases from Sterilization Applications and Response to Comments
• Summary of Technical and Socio-Economic Background Study for Ethylene Oxide, 2000
• Degradation Products of Ethylene Oxide
• Summary of European Legislation
• Notice with respect to the Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Releases from Sterilization Applications, 2004-04-03
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Web Site
• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation Web Site

Contact

Email address: RiskManagementPrograms@ec.gc.ca
Fax number: (819) 997-7121

Risk Management Programs
Environment Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Blvd.   Floor 13
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A OH3

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