Ethylene Oxide (EtO)
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a colorless gas used to make other chemicals that are used in making a range of products, including antifreeze, textiles, plastics, detergents and adhesives. EtO also is essential for sterilizing equipment and plastic devices that cannot be sterilized by steam, including life saving medical equipment such as heart valves, pacemakers, surgical kits, gowns, drapes, ventilators, syringes, and catheters. Each year, EtO is used to sterilize 20 billion medical devices, or 50 percent of all U.S. medical devices. Without EtO, it is impossible to develop a secure domestic supply chain of these critical medical devices. EPA is focused on taking actions that will save lives and protect Americans from unnecessary EtO exposure. Under Administrator Lee Zeldin’s leadership, EPA is committed to meeting its core mission of protecting human health and the environment and Powering the Great American Comeback. EPA will continue to update this page with additional EtO information and actions.