The risk to your health from breathing in any chemical depends on how much is in the air and how long and how often you breathe it in. Not all people have the same risk. Age, gender, genetics, lifestyle, and other factors play a role in how exposure to chemicals affects health. Breathing very high levels of ethylene oxide for hours or days can cause different health impacts than breathing high levels of ethylene oxide for years. While you can’t control all the sources of ethylene oxide in the environment, taking action to reduce your exposure can lower your risk of health effects now and in the future.
What is ethylene oxide and where does it come from?
Ethylene oxide is one of many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A VOC is a carbon-based chemical that easily evaporates into the air and can react with sunlight to form air pollution. Both large and small sources release VOCs into the air. All VOCs, including ethylene oxide, can form ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone can cause both short-term and long-term health effects.
Small amounts of ethylene oxide are found in tobacco smoke and some cleaning products. Various manufacturing industries and medical equipment sterilization facilities release ethylene oxide into the air. Every day, everyone breathes in a small amount of ethylene oxide. However, people who live near industrial areas may be exposed to higher levels. This can increase their risk of health problems.
Ethylene oxide and your health
- Breathing low levels of ethylene oxide for a short time usually does not cause immediate or serious health impacts. Some people may experience eye, nose, and throat irritation.
- Prolonged exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of developing cancers, including leukemia. Long-term exposure to ethylene oxide is also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Spending more time around ethylene oxide and being in environments with higher amounts raises the chances of developing cancer.
- There is some evidence that higher exposures to ethylene oxide may increase the risk of miscarriage.
- People with asthma, young children, older adults, and people who are sensitive to chemicals may be more likely to have health impacts from ethylene oxide.
If you have serious symptoms or symptoms that don’t go away, contact a health care provider.
If you don’t have insurance or a healthcare provider, we encourage you to apply for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Visit Health First Colorado.
Reducing exposure to ethylene oxide reduces the risk of health problems
There are rules and regulations to help protect the environment and health, but you can also take steps to further minimize exposure. If you are concerned about ethylene oxide, consider these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Avoid cigarette smoke.
- Reducing the amount and time spent exposed to ethylene oxide can lower overall cancer risk. There are things you can do to help reduce your total risk of cancer.
Learn more about ethylene oxide
- In January 2025, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission selected ethylene oxide as one of five priority air toxics. The new rule aligns with requirements in Colorado’s Public Protections From Toxic Air Contaminants Act. Next, the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division will propose health-based standards and emission control strategy regulations for the five air toxics. To stay involved:
- Visit the division’s public participation opportunities web page.
- Sign up for email updates on air toxics.
- Learn more about ethylene oxide in Colorado.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists ethylene oxide as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act. HAPs can cause serious health problems and come from a variety of different sources.
- Learn more about how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is addressing ethylene oxide in the air.
- The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry provides additional information about ethylene oxide and health.
Contact
For information about ethylene oxide and your health, contact ToxCall at 303-692-2606 or cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us.