Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilization: A Systematic Review of Carcinogenicity, Toxicity And Occupational Exposure.
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507005
Authors: Hafiza Tuba Razzaq1*, Abdul Wajid2, Asjed Sanaullah3, Muhammad Mohsin yar4, Shafqat Abbas5
| 1Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. 2Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore, Pakistan. 3Ibadat International University, Islamabad, Pakistan. 4Gulab Devi Educational Complex, Lahore, Pakistan. 5Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology Wazirabad, Pakistan. |

Cite:
- APA (7th edition): Razzaq, H. T., Wajid, A., Sanaullah, A., Yar, M. M., & Abbas, S. (2025, November 24). Ethylene oxide gas sterilization: A systematic review of carcinogenicity, toxicity and occupational exposure. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 1(2). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507005
- Harvard: Razzaq, H.T., Wajid, A., Sanaullah, A., Yar, M.M. and Abbas, S., 2025. Ethylene oxide gas sterilization: A systematic review of carcinogenicity, toxicity and occupational exposure. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 1(2). Published 24 November. Available at: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507005
- Vancouver: Razzaq HT, Wajid A, Sanaullah A, Yar MM, Abbas S. Ethylene oxide gas sterilization: A systematic review of carcinogenicity, toxicity and occupational exposure. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ). 2025 Nov 24;1(2). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507005
- MLA (9th edition): Razzaq, Hafiza Tuba, et al. “Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilization: A Systematic Review of Carcinogenicity, Toxicity and Occupational Exposure.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), vol. 1, no. 2, 24 Nov. 2025, https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507005
- Chicago (Author–Date): Razzaq, Hafiza Tuba, Abdul Wajid, Asjed Sanaullah, Muhammad Mohsin Yar, and Shafqat Abbas. 2025. “Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilization: A Systematic Review of Carcinogenicity, Toxicity and Occupational Exposure.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ) 1 (2), November 24. https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2507005
Corresponding Author*:
Hafiza Tuba Razzaq
[email protected]
Declaration:
Authors’ Contribution:
Equal contributions.
Conflict of Interest:
No conflict of interest.
Funding:
No funding received by the authors
| Article History: |
| Received: 15-07-2025 Accepted: 18-10-2025 |
| Available Online: 21-11-2025 |
| QR Code Access to this Article |

| ABSTRACT |
| Background: Ethylene oxide gas is a colorless gas that is used to sterilized all the items that are moisture, heat, and radiosensitive. 25ppm was the minimum amount of ethylene oxide gas that does not affect the patients and workers. Its overexposure has harmful effects on the human central nervous system, reproductive system, and peripheral nervous system. Methodology: Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus websites are used to collect articles with relevant abbreviations. Results: Firstly, 116 articles were selected, then after reviewing the title and the abstract, 15 articles were finalized. After this reading methodology, discussion, and conclusion finalized 10 articles were finalised that were completely relevant to the study. Conclusion: This study showed that ethylene oxide gas sterilization was the best choice for sterilizing surgical instruments. Its high exposure can affect the central nervous system, reproductive system and in some cases, cancer and even death. Proper PPEs and attention are required while using ETO. Key words: Ethylene oxide, Sterilization, Toxicity of ETO, Surgical instruments, Cancer, Neurogenic issues |
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