Ethylene oxide serves as a disinfectant, fumigant, sterilising agent and insecticide, mainly used to sterilise medical equipment and to reduce microbial contamination in spices.
Classification as 'Group 1 carcinogen', means it has enough evidence to conclude that it can cause cancer in humans.
Exposure to the pesticide can affect the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and damage the brain and nervous system