Type of SOP: Process Hazardous Chemical Hazard Class

ETHYLENE OXIDE

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

HAZARD OVERVIEW

· Extremely flammable

· Acutely toxic and corrosive to tissue

· Carcinogenic

Ethylene oxide, or oxirane, is an extremely flammable gas at room temperature (flash point = -20 oC, flammable range in air 2.6%-100%). Dissolved in water, it remains flammable at a concentration of 4% by volume, making it a serious explosion hazard if poured down the drain.

Ethylene oxide can self-polymerize violently upon exposure to heat, acid, or base. Violent reaction can occur with exposure to copper or its alloys, and rust. The heat of burning in a fire may cause the additional hazard of self-polymerization, resulting in explosion.

Ethylene oxide is classified as Category 1B carcinogen.

Ethylene oxide is acutely toxic if inhaled, causing mucous membrane and respiratory irritation, headache, vomiting, cyanosis, drowsiness, weakness, incoordination, CNS depression, lachrymation, and labored breathing. Delayed effects may include edema of the lungs, paralysis, convulsions and death. Its odor threshold is > 250 ppm, while its permissible exposure limit is 1 ppm, therefore the sense of smell does not provide adequate protection against its toxic effects.

Contact with the skin can cause major damage, including severe blistering. Symptoms may take several hours to appear. The response is amplified if the skin is wet or sweaty. Ethylene oxide is also a skin sensitizer and may trigger an allergic skin reaction. Contact with eyes is severely irritation and may cause irreversible damage. Contact with liquid ethylene oxide can cause severe frostbite.

EXPOSURE LIMITS

Cal-OSHA has established maximum inhalation exposure limits for workers in occupational settings for over 500 chemicals. These are known as Permissible Exposure Limits and can not legally be exceeded. For ethylene oxide the PELs are quite low:

1 ppm - 8 hour time weighted average exposure

5 ppm - 15 min. time-weighted average exposure (short term exposure limit)

Therefore, work with ethylene oxide should always be done in a fume hood, glove box, or in totally-sealed containers to keep exposures as low as possible. Contact EH&S if you believe you are being exposed. In some instances EH&S can do quantitative exposure monitoring.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

See the PPE information under Sec. II of the UCSB Chemical Hygiene Plan regarding:

· the UC PPE Policy and policy summary (what PPE is needed and when/where to use)

· obtaining your PPE via use of the Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool

· glove selection criteria

· respirator use, etc.

NIOSH recommends butyl rubber, Teflon or Silvershield gloves.

OSHA recommends against contact lens use when working with acrylonitrile, methylene chloride, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane methylene dianiline and ethylene oxide.

Safety glasses may be adequate when handling very small quantities of ethylene oxide. However, the use of tight-fitting splash goggles is highly recommended, as well as a face shield in higher splash risk situations.

ENGINEERING/VENTILATION CONTROLS

For further information see the following pages in Sec. II of the Chemical Hygiene Plan:

· Fume Hood Usage Guide

· Criteria for Implementing Engineering Controls

SPECIAL HANDLING PROCEDURES AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS

Handling

· Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation.

· Use explosion-proof equipment and prevent buildup of electrostatic charge via appropriate grounding and bonding.

· Keep away from sources of ignition

Storage

· Protect containers from physical damage.

· Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.

· Recommended storage temperature 2-8 oC. Never store above 52 oC.

SPILL AND INCIDENT PROCEDURES

See directions under the “Chemical Incident” tab of the UCSB Emergency Information Flipchart – should already be posted in all labs.

In case of skin contact

Immediately (within seconds) flush affected area for at least 15 minutes. Remove all contaminated clothing. Call 9-911 from a campus phone to get immediate emergency medical attention.

In case of eye contact

Use Emergency Eyewash immediately. Call 9-911 from a campus phone to get immediate emergency medical attention. Continue flushing eyes until emergency responders arrive.

DECONTAMINATION

Using proper personal protective equipment as outlined above, decontaminate equipment and bench tops using soap and water and properly dispose of all chemical and contaminated disposables as hazardous waste following the guidelines below.

WASTE DISPOSAL

See “Chemical Waste Disposal” in Sec. II of the UCSB Chemical Hygiene Plan.

PRIOR APPROVAL/REVIEW REQUIRED

As they deem necessary, the PI/supervisor should insert here any prior approval or review needed before an individual can do the operation.

DESIGNATED AREA

As they deem necessary, the PI/supervisor should insert here any information about whether a special use-area is designated for this material/process.

SAFETY DATA SHEETS

Found online at: http://ehs.ucsb.edu/labsafety/msds

LAB-SPECIFIC PROTOCOL (required)

Add appropriate lab-specific information here describing how this material(s) is generally used. E.g., name of protocol, frequency done, scale, temperature, etc.