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Ethylene Oxide had been used as a fumigation insecticide to sterilize food, medical facilities and equipment. Currently ethylene oxide continues to be used and produced in the manufacturing processes of many commercial products, sterilizations, and insecticides. One of its major uses is as an intermediate in the production of ethylene glycol and other industrial chemicals. As noted by the CDC in the Toxicological review of ethylene glycol they note “in 1937, the direct oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide followed by hydrolysis to ethylene glycol”. Ethylene glycol is used in a variety of consumer products including paint, plastics, brake fluids, inks, cosmetics, etc. Ethylene glycol is additionally used to manufacture polyethylene terephthalate, used to produce disposable plastic bottles. The trickle down use of ethylene oxide in a series of additional manufacturing processes make it a valuable and versatile chemical in the production of a variety of consumer goods. 

Ethylene oxide, as defined and according to the EPA, “Ethylene oxide is a flammable, colorless gas used to make other chemicals that are used in making a range of products, including antifreeze, textiles, plastics, detergents and adhesives. Ethylene oxide also is used to sterilize equipment and plastic devices that cannot be sterilized by steam, such as medical equipment.”