Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Research and Scientific Branch, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland, Australia.
Ann Work Expo Health. 2017 Jun 1;61(5):589-595. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxx030.
Ethylene oxide (EO) is a reactive gas used by numerous industries and medical facilities as a sterilant, a fumigant, and as a chemical intermediate in chemical manufacturing. Due to its common use, EO has been involved in a number of leaks and explosive incidents/accidents requiring HAZMAT response. However, the extent of skin absorption under short-term HAZMAT conditions has not been directly assessed. Such data would assist decision making by first responders regarding skin decontamination in EO HAZMAT incidents. An in vitro test protocol with human skin was used for EO exposures at 800 ppm and 3000 ppm. No evidence of dermal penetration was seen for 800 ppm EO during a 30-min challenge. For 3000 ppm, EO penetration was observed after 20 min and was greater under higher temperature/humidity conditions. Fabric (heavy cotton) on skin enhanced penetration 5-fold compared with naked skin. Off gassing from exposed fabric was rapid. The results show dermal uptake of EO vapour from exposure at 3000 ppm is small but clothing may contribute to further dermal absorption/penetration over time. For exposed, but asymptomatic, persons in EO HAZMAT incidents first responders should remove bulky clothing to prevent potential skin damage and further uptake.
环氧乙烷（EO）是一种活性气体，被许多行业和医疗机构用作消毒剂、熏蒸剂和化学制造中的化学中间体。由于其广泛使用，EO 已经涉及到许多泄漏和爆炸事件/事故，需要进行危险物质应对。然而，在短期危险物质条件下皮肤吸收的程度尚未得到直接评估。这些数据将有助于急救人员在 EO 危险物质事件中做出有关皮肤去污的决策。使用人体皮肤的体外测试方案进行了 800 ppm 和 3000 ppm 的 EO 暴露。在 30 分钟的挑战中，800 ppm 的 EO 没有发现皮肤渗透的证据。对于 3000 ppm，在 20 分钟后观察到 EO 渗透，并且在更高的温度/湿度条件下渗透更大。与裸露皮肤相比，皮肤表面的织物（厚重棉织物）使渗透增加了 5 倍。暴露的织物的放气速度很快。结果表明，从 3000 ppm 的暴露中，EO 蒸气的皮肤吸收量很小，但随着时间的推移，衣物可能会导致进一步的皮肤吸收/渗透。对于暴露但无症状的 EO 危险物质事件中的人员，急救人员应去除大件衣物，以防止潜在的皮肤损伤和进一步吸收。
