ethylene oxide
noun
: a colorless flammable toxic compound C2H4O used especially in synthesis (as of ethylene glycol) and in sterilization and fumigation
Examples of ethylene oxide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once implemented and combined with another EPA rule issued last month restricting ethylene oxide emissions from commercial sterilization facilities, the new rule will reduce ethylene oxide and chloroprene emissions by nearly 80%, according to the agency.
—
USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
The new rule for chemical manufacturers comes just weeks after EPA finalized new tougher rules for facilities that use ethylene oxide gas to sterilize medical equipment, spices and other items.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
More than 20 billion devices are sterilized with ethylene oxide—about 50% of devices that need sterilization.
—Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2024
Prior regulations on commercial sterilizers that use ethylene oxide did not account for the EPA’s latest research.
—Alejandra Martinez, ProPublica, 15 Mar. 2024
In 2016 — two years after the EPA reviewed the standards — the agency determined that ethylene oxide’s cancer risk was nearly 60 times greater than previously thought.
—Sarah Elbeshbishi, ProPublica, 20 Sep. 2023
These controls can measure ethylene oxide in indoor air down to 10 parts per billion.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023
Earlier this year, the EPA proposed tougher air pollution rules for chemical plants and other industrial facilities, including placing stricter limits on ethylene oxide — the same chemical released by the plant in Institute.
—Sarah Elbeshbishi, ProPublica, 20 Sep. 2023
Communities exposed to ethylene oxide gas had lobbied the EPA to put tighter controls on plants that use ethylene oxide gas.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023
USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
The new rule for chemical manufacturers comes just weeks after EPA finalized new tougher rules for facilities that use ethylene oxide gas to sterilize medical equipment, spices and other items.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
More than 20 billion devices are sterilized with ethylene oxide—about 50% of devices that need sterilization.
—Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2024
Prior regulations on commercial sterilizers that use ethylene oxide did not account for the EPA’s latest research.
—Alejandra Martinez, ProPublica, 15 Mar. 2024
In 2016 — two years after the EPA reviewed the standards — the agency determined that ethylene oxide’s cancer risk was nearly 60 times greater than previously thought.
—Sarah Elbeshbishi, ProPublica, 20 Sep. 2023
These controls can measure ethylene oxide in indoor air down to 10 parts per billion.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023
Earlier this year, the EPA proposed tougher air pollution rules for chemical plants and other industrial facilities, including placing stricter limits on ethylene oxide — the same chemical released by the plant in Institute.
—Sarah Elbeshbishi, ProPublica, 20 Sep. 2023
Communities exposed to ethylene oxide gas had lobbied the EPA to put tighter controls on plants that use ethylene oxide gas.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ethylene oxide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1866, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ethylene oxide
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene%20oxide. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
ethylene oxide
noun
: a colorless flammable toxic gaseous or liquid compound C2H4O used especially in synthesis (as of ethylene glycol) and in fumigation and sterilization (as of medical instruments)
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ethylene oxide
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