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August 30, 2025

Ethylene oxide

French name in the regulation: Oxyde d'éthylène

CAS : 75-21-8

Exposure Standards in RROHS regulation

Permissible exposure values (PEV)

	ppm	mg/m³	f/cc	Notes
TWAEV	1	1,8	-	-
STEV	-	-	-	-
Ceiling	-	-	-	-

Carcinogenicity	C2	Sensitizer
Simple asphyxiant		Percutaneous
Prohibited use		Prohibited recirculation
Minimum exposure		Explosion hazard
Ototoxic

TWA adjustment for unusual work schedules

III : Weekly adjustment

CNESST – Toxicological Index Service

Consult REPTOX file: Ethylene oxide

Analysis:

Oxyde d'éthylène

Recommended method by the IRSST:

Method: OSHA - 1010

Sampling protocol

Sampling device: Anasorb 747-T8 tube
Parameters:
Flow rate: 0,05 L/min
TWA sampling volume: 12 L
STEL sampling volume: -
Remarks: This substance is not analyzed by our laboratories. It might be possible that the analysis be performed by another laboratory. Please contact the IRSST before sampling.

Analytical protocol

Principle: Gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD)

Reference

OSHA, Chemical Information Manual, method 1010, Ethylene Oxyde, 2007.

Oxyde d'éthylène

Method: IRSST - 39-A

Sampling protocol

Sampling device:
Parameters:
Flow rate: -
TWA sampling volume: -
STEL sampling volume: -
Remarks: Refer to the user's guide accompanying the instrument.

Analytical protocol

Principle: Direct reading instrument-Photoacoustic detection (DRI-PAD)
Remarks: Ethylene oxide is quantified in the field with a direct-reading instrument (DRI). The minimum reported value is 0.43 mg/m³ (0.24 ppm). The reference method corresponds to calibration of the DRI.

Reference

IRSST. "Étalonnage d'un instrument à lecture directe par photoacoustique". Méthode 39-A. Non publiée.