Does Ethylene Oxide cause cancer?

Yes, Ethylene Oxide is carcinogenic to humans. Although there is limited evidence of its carcinogenicity in humans, there is sufficient evidence of the carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide in experimental animals.Ethylene Oxide induces germ cell mutations and cleavage effects in animals, leading to an increased incidence of lymphomas, leukaemia, and brain tumours. Studies of occupational exposure to ethylene oxide have shown an increased incidence of leukaemia, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and Hodgkin's disease, particularly lymphoma and leukaemia. Overall, Ethylene Oxide is a Group 1 carcinogen.