Ethylene oxide. An occupational health hazard for hospital workers

Hospitals present a variety of infectious, chemical, and physical hazards at levels comparable to the hazards encountered in many industries. Our society has acquired the scientific and technological capability to identify and abate hazardous chemical exposures. Thus, the knowledge needed to resolve the problem effectively is available, and now, it only needs to be applied. The knowledge related to EtO can be summarized into three major points. Exposure to EtO can result in cancer, reproductive abnormalities including genetic damage, and neurological disease. Prevention of exposure to EtO requires sensitive and informed hospital administrators, adequate aeration and ventilation, personal and area monitoring, a written compliance program, and employee information and education. Perioperative nurses must protect their patients and the perioperative team from potential hazards of EtO.