A case of acute ethylene oxide intoxication is described in which neurological involvement was present. Three recurrent seizures over a period of an hour were observed in a 43-year-old female. The patient continued to complain of malaise and inability to perform minor motor tasks up to one week after discharge. Neurological evaluation conducted three weeks after toxic exposure was completely normal. A two-month follow-up showed the patient to be asymptomatic without recurrence of symptoms.
GlaserZR. Ethylene oxide: Toxicology review and field study results of hospital use. J Environ Pathol Toxicol1977; 2: 173–208.
2.
Ethylene oxide, ethylene chlorohydrin and ethylene glycol proposed maximum residue limits and maximum levels of exposure. Federal Register1978; 43 (June 23): 27474–6.
3.
WinellMA. An international comparison of hygienic standards for chemicals in the work environment. Ambio1975; 4: 34–6.
4.
GrossJA, Ethylene oxide neurotoxicity: Report of four cases and review of the literature. Neurology1979; 7: 978–83.
