Chemistry Learn it or Eat it Challenge Propylene Oxide

Propylene oxide, is something we should not eat. What can it be used for? How can we avoid eating it?





Link to CDC site
"Human Health Effects

The human health effects of propylene oxide exposure include corneal burns, contact dermatitis, and a reduced capacity to repair DNA lesions. McLaughlin [1946] reported that humans exposed to propylene oxide vapor received corneal burns. Contact dermatitis was involved in two case reports--one concerning an electron microscopy technician and the other concerning two laboratory assistants. All three individuals had positive responses to propylene oxide in standard allergy patch tests [Jensen 1981; van Ketel 1979].

Twenty-three workers aged 25 to 59 were exposed to propylene oxide in a factory producing alkylated starch. Lymphocytes from these workers were examined for a reduced capacity for unscheduled DNA synthesis following the in vitro induction of DNA damage to their lymphocytes [Pero et al. 1982]. Unscheduled DNA synthesis is a step in the enzymatic repair of DNA damage. Estimates of airborne exposure were obtained using both personal and area sampling. Eight-hour TWA exposure concentrations of propylene oxide were calculated for five of the most highly exposed workers over 5 workdays (8-hr shifts). These concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 12 ppm. The control group consisted of 12 workers aged 21 to 46 who were not exposed to propylene oxide. Under the conditions of this experiment, unscheduled DNA synthesis was significantly inhibited (p<0.001, t-test) in the group exposed to propylene oxide."

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/89-111/

Link showing chemical structure.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Propylene_oxide#section=Top