Genotoxic risk for humans due to work place exposure to ethylene oxide: remarkable individual differences in susceptibility

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Abstract
Single strand breaks of DNA of peripheral mononuclear blood cells from 97 male and female workers occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide were analysed by the alkaline elution method. These individuals were occupied with the sterilization of medical devices in hospitals and in commercial plants. Ethylene oxide in the air of the working areas was detected up to a maximal concentration of 16.5 mg/m3 calculated as 4-h time-weighted average (4h TWA). Mean value was 1.47±0.52 mg/m3 (1 mg/m3 =0.55 ppm). Compared to the mean elution rate of the DNA from non-smoking workers exposed to air concentrations of ethylene oxide below the detection limit of 0.1 mg/m3 (4h TWA) the non-smokers working in rooms with a concentration of ethylene oxide between 0.5 mg/m3 and 2 mg/m3 showed a statistically significant (P3 of ethylene oxide a statistically significant (P3 ethylene oxide in the air (4h TWA). For the “lower sensitive” group a lowest detectable effect level was calculated to be 3.5 mg/m3.

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