Occupational Dermatitis Caused by Ethylene Oxide

Abstract

Ltd., Nottingham Ethylene oxide exists as a colourless gas at ordinary temperatures. but at 10.70 C. it condenses to form a water-white liquid. It is miscible with water in all proportions and forms hydrates. It combines with compounds having a labile hydrogen atom such as water, alcohols, ammonia, and organic acids, although at ordinary temperatures some of these reactions are very slow. It will also abstract the elements of hydro- chloric acid from aqueous solutions of chlorides forming ethylene chlorhydrin thereby yielding alkaline solutions.