Posted on March 18th, 2025
Although the risk of cancer among workers or nearby residents exposed to ethylene oxide is significantly greater than the median values for the US population, malignancy is not the only risk factor associated with exposure to this organic compound.
The most common way to detect ethylene oxide exposure in the human body is by testing for a hemoglobin adduct marker, formed when EtO attaches to a part of the hemoglobin, creating a modified hemoglobin (HbEO).
- Liver damage - According to a study published in the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, prolonged exposure to high levels of ethylene oxide is associated with abnormal LFTs and long-term liver damage.
- Increased asthma risk and higher chronic bronchitis prevalence - According to OSHA, EtO exposure may cause a sore throat and breathing difficulty. A recent study found that the level of EtO exposure and risk of asthma are positively correlated. Additionally, elevated HbEO levels have been associated with a higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis.
- History of neurotoxicity and higher risk of depressive symptoms - Several studies have explored the neurotoxicity of environmental pollutants over the decades, especially among sterilizer workers. More recent studies have been published that associate ethylene oxide exposure with a higher risk of depressive symptoms.
- Higher blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases - EtO exposure has been linked to higher diastolic blood pressure, and has been associated with the prevalence of angina, heart attack, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), potentially induced by an inflammatory response.
How ethylene oxide exposure causes harmful effects
Ethylene oxide is very reactive and easily absorbed in the human body through inhalation. EtO can attach to the DNA, RNA, and proteins. It can induce mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and more frequent sister chromatid exchanges.
Workers in various industries that use ethylene oxide for production and sterilization are at risk of exposure, along with residents in neighborhoods near factories and farms that utilize this chemical. You may check this list of U.S. facilities with known ethylene oxide exposure to check if you have been at risk of exposure.
Contact ELG Law if you have been diagnosed with cancer due to EtO exposure
If you were exposed as an industrial worker or by living near EtO-using facilities and have been diagnosed with a linkable cancer, you may be eligible for financial compensation. We encourage you to contact our lawyers to receive legal assistance and begin filing your claim for EtO exposure.
You will need to collect the employment and/or residential records proving your proximity (within 4 miles) to EtO-using establishments, as well as medical records that show your diagnosis related to EtO exposure.
