On ethylene oxide neurotoxicity: report of two cases of peripheral neuropathy

Two cases of clinically and electromyographically proven ethylene oxide neuropathy occurred among 12 workers at the Lecco Hospital Sterilization Center. Cessation of exposure to the gas, which had lasted for two years, was followed by swift remission of the symptoms and complete normalisation of the EMG record at follow-up six months later. The paucity of published data on the subject may well mean that the real risk of ethylene oxide toxicity is being underrated.