Ethylene Oxide Cancer Scare

Ethylene Oxide, a compound found in antifreeze and used to steralize certain medical products has been making news lately due to it's possible role a series of cancer deaths involving people who worked in the same building and were exposed to the toxic chemical in St. Paul, Minnestota.

Ethlyene Oxide is classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The substance caused a higher rate of liver cancer in animals who were exposed to it over an extended period of time and it is known to cause cataracts in humans. No extensive testing has been done to gauge the possible cancer risk to humans who are exposed to large doses.

A letter from the employer of the sick workers sent in 1989 states: “3M has learned of several incidences of cancer among medical products division employees who worked in building 27 in the late 60s and early 70s. The employees who contracted cancer all might have been exposed to the chemical ethylene oxide."

Former workers recall moving leaking canisters that were dripping on the warehouse floor and were not made fully aware of the side effects this exposure could have. The workers who got the letters back in 1989 were offered a free medical exam at the time. 3M says researchers found "no association between work place exposure and the health of 3M employees."
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