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Ethylene Oxide MeSH Descriptor Data 2025


MeSH Heading
Ethylene Oxide
Tree Number(s)
D02.355.291.411.417
Unique ID
D005027
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D005027
Scope Note
A colorless and flammable gas at room temperature and pressure. Ethylene oxide is a bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal disinfectant. It is effective against most micro-organisms, including viruses. It is used as a fumigant for foodstuffs and textiles and as an agent for the gaseous sterilization of heat-labile pharmaceutical and surgical materials. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p794)
Entry Term(s)
Oxirane
Pharm Action
Disinfectants
Registry Numbers
JJH7GNN18P
Related Numbers
75-21-8
CAS Type 1 Name
Oxirane
Date Established
1966/01/01
Date of Entry
1999/01/01
Revision Date
2013/07/08
Ethylene Oxide Preferred
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