[Cytogenetic effects of ethylene oxide poisoning].

Mutagenic effects of ethylene oxide have been demonstrated by short-term testing in vitro and in vivo in several organisms. Oncogenic activity in human has been suspected and recently supported by experiments in mice. Exposure can occur during ethylene oxide gas sterilization of medical materials. We have tested effects on chromosomes by evaluative sister chromatids exchange frequency. A statistically significant increase in the rate of SCE has been observed in workers exposed occupationally to ethylene oxide, compared with controls.