Early warning signs of ethylene oxide exposure: Symptoms to watch for before cancer develops

While the association of ethylene oxide (EtO) with cancer is becoming more widely recognized, the immediate harmful effects of EtO exposure are often overlooked. In reality, victims of ethylene oxide exposure often go years without knowing they have been exposed to excessive amounts of this gas. There are still many sites where the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not installed monitoring stations for EtO emissions. The most visible way for workers and residents to detect EtO is to watch for symptoms, which usually begin with eye and respiratory tract irritation.

Signs that you may have been exposed to ethylene oxide

Many people would assume they weren't exposed to harmful gas if they didn’t smell it in their work area. However, scientific data show that the odor detection threshold for EtO is at least 260 ppm, which is the concentration where immediate and secondary effects of exposure might begin to appear. This means that, by the time a person can smell EtO gas, they have already inhaled levels that can cause the following symptoms:

1. Early irritation and neurological symptoms. Immediately after acute exposure to EtO, workers may feel eye irritation, upper respiratory tract irritation (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath), and neurological symptoms (dizziness, nausea, confusion). Chronic exposure to EtO may lead to recurring symptoms like persistent asthma and bronchial hyperreactivity.
2. Occupational exposure symptoms. Based on occupational studies and reports, exposure exceeding 260 ppm may lead to secondary effects beyond inhalation irritation. These effects, likely from the neurotoxicity of the EtO gas, include dry mouth and gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and spasms. 
3. Cognitive effects. Repeated exposure to EtO gas may lead to harmful effects on the nervous system. During regular check-ups, it is highly important to mention these early signs, including memory loss, lack of coordination, sudden weakness and dizziness, and speech difficulty.
4. Peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage. One of the most alarming signs of toxic exposure is neuropathy. This condition may present as numbness, tingling (which feels like pins and needles), and cramps.

When five hospital workers were exposed to more than 260 ppm of EtO vapors for 30 minutes, two workers experienced headache and diarrhea, while the other three suffered from more serious conditions like dry mouth, severe headache, and muscular weakness. It was also reported that a nurse who accidentally got into contact with over 500 ppm of EtO vapor suffered from nausea, short periods of unconsciousness, and light-headedness immediately after exposure. Up to a week after exposure, the nurse also experienced muscle twitching and difficulty performing minor motor tasks. It took two months for the victim to be asymptomatic and fully recover.

Developed cancer after EtO exposure? File an ethylene oxide claim with ELG Law

These occupational reports on EtO effects show the importance of proper documentation. Keeping records of exposure and early symptoms is critical, especially when there is a risk of developing cancer later. These documents will be helpful for both medical history-taking and evidence-gathering in legal matters. If you are a sterilization plant worker or a nearby resident who developed cancer from EtO exposure, ELG Law has a team of toxic exposure attorneys who can evaluate your case. If you are eligible, our EtO attorneys can file the claim on your behalf, allowing you to focus on treatment and recovery.