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
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California officials announced two everyday air contaminants — acrolein and ethylene oxide — may be over 10 times more carcinogenic than benzene, posing unacceptable cancer risks to the state’s residents.
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Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Kevin Wagner, vice president of the medical sterilizer company Sterigenics, messaged asking that nine facilities emitting the carcinogenic gas ethylene oxide, including near Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Charlotte and Atlanta, be exempted.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed Friday to weaken limits on emissions of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas, from manufacturing facilities that use it to sterilize medical devices.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Environmental groups are suing President Donald Trump and his administration in federal court over their moves to exempt medical sterilization facilities using the toxic gas ethylene oxide in Georgia and other states from tighter air emissions standards.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026
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Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Kevin Wagner, vice president of the medical sterilizer company Sterigenics, messaged asking that nine facilities emitting the carcinogenic gas ethylene oxide, including near Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Charlotte and Atlanta, be exempted.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed Friday to weaken limits on emissions of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas, from manufacturing facilities that use it to sterilize medical devices.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Environmental groups are suing President Donald Trump and his administration in federal court over their moves to exempt medical sterilization facilities using the toxic gas ethylene oxide in Georgia and other states from tighter air emissions standards.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethylene oxide
Cite this Entry
“Ethylene oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethylene%20oxide. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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