Ethylene Oxide is an intermediate in
the production of several industrial chemicals, one of
which is non-ionic surfactants. In 1991, 5 billion lbs.
of Ethylene Oxide where produced in the United States.
Approximately 700 million lbs. of that production was
used in the manufacture of non-ionic surfactants the
largest single ingredient in most general-purpose
cleaners.
Ethylene Oxide is an established carcinogen (cancer
causing agent) and possesses several other physical and
health hazards, including acute toxicity, high
reactivity, reproductive and mutagenic effects,
neurotoxicity and sensitization.
Some surfactants manufactured with Ethylene Oxide have
demonstrated the ability to affect the reproduction
system of some fish and wildlife.
Ethylene Oxide is a colourless, odourless gas at room
temperature and is stable in aqueous solutions and
completely miscible in water yet is extremely volatile
with an occupational exposure limit of 1 part per
million in air.
Trace amounts of Ethylene Oxide and its reactive by
products are found in surfactants manufactured with
Ethylene Oxide.
Common terms used to describe surfactants manufactured
with Ethylene Oxide are: Non-ionic, mild surfactants,
Alcohol Ethoxylates, Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylates, Nonyl
Phenol Ethoxylates, Octyl Phenol Ethoxylates. In fact
almost all general-purpose cleaners contain surfactants
manufactured with Ethylene Oxide.
ECOgent cleaners offer alternatives to using
general-purpose cleaners containing non-ionic
surfactants manufactured with Ethylene Oxide. ECOgent
products are manufactured with Poly Glycoside
(sugar-based) surfactants.
ECOgent Carpet
Cleaner
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