Abstract

For decades, ethylene oxide (EtO) has played a crucial role in various industries, serving as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment, a key ingredient in plastics production, and a fumigant for food processing. However, despite its importance to public health and manufacturing, EtO is also classified as a known human carcinogen. A newly updated and comprehensive study now provides strong evidence linking long-term occupational exposure to EtO with an increased risk of breast cancer mortality among women.