Who needs ethylene oxide? We all do.

Its not surprising that many people have never heard of ethylene oxide (EO). After all, its an intermediate chemical. That means we use EO to make lots of other products. What is surprising to many people is just how many things are built on EO chemistry.

Its hard to imagine what life would be like without EO.

But if you really think youre ready to give up some of those things, heres what youll need to live without: Soap EO derivatives are used in many different kinds of soaps, shampoos and detergents. Pillows For people who are allergic to feathers, synthetic fibers manufactured from EO derivatives provide comfortable, fluffy pillows for a good nights rest without wheezing and sneezing. Furniture and carpeting EO is an essential building block for polyester fibers that are used in upholstery and foam for furniture, making them both comfortable and durable. The soft-yet-strong polyester fibers are also used in carpeting. Aircraft EO is used to manufacture the materials in aircraft and runway deicers that make winter travel easier and safer. Automotive fluids EO derivatives are also used to make several types of automotive fluids, including anti-freeze, heat transfer fluids and brake fluid. Paint Another common use of EO derivatives is in solvents, which are a key ingredient in nearly all types of paint. Fiberglass An EO derivative is also used to make fiberglass for fun and practical products like jet skis, bowling balls and bathtubs. Clothing EO is used to make polyester fibers for easy-care clothing. Natural Gas As a building block, EO derivatives serve as drying agents for natural gas that keep our homes warm. Plastic Bottles Essential to keeping packaged water and beverages fresh and clean, EO is used as a starting material in manufacturing shatterproof bottles. Cosmetics/Ointments EO serves as an essential raw material to help create cosmetics, ointments and pharmaceutical preparations.

And thats just the beginning.

Ethylene oxide is used in all kinds of products and industries that are part of everyday life. And thats not a bad thing its science at work. EO is one of the most versatile building blocks ever developed. EO is essential to life.

Fast Facts
Safe Transportation of Ethylene Oxide EO manufacturers load and ship thousands of rail cars throughout North America annually, all in specially designed high-pressure rail cars. Over the past three decades, manufacturers, consumers, rail carriers, and governmental regulatory agencies, working together, have achieved an exceptional safety record related to the transfer of this product. Specific safety-related components included on all ethylene oxide rail cars include: Heat shields, which extend the ability of tanks to withstand loss of strength when exposed to external fires Product tanks constructed of fine-grain high-strength steel with pressure ratings of 300 psig or greater High-strength metal shields on the end of the cars to improve the cars ability to retain tank integrity during a collision or derailment Rail-car housing areas for protection against transfer Valve damage during a collision or derailment Excess-flow valves inside the product tank to prevent release of product if car transfer valves are severely damaged Dow and its affiliates are active members of organizations endorsing the principles of Responsible Care for the production and use of this product. Ethylene oxide was first prepared by French chemist Charles-Adolphe Wurtz in 1859. In 1931, another French chemist, Theodore Lefort, improved the means of preparing EO with direct oxidation of ethylene with air or oxygen. Since 1940, nearly all EO is produced by this method.
Published August 2007 Printed in U.S.A.
The DOW Diamond is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company Responsible Care is a service mark of The American Chemistry Council in the United States

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