Coronavirus Test Swabs Contain Carcinogen Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is primarily used to produce chemicals such as antifreeze. But in smaller quantities, EtO is also used as a pesticide as well as a sterilizing agent in medical settings.¹ The ability of ethylene oxide to damage DNA is what makes it effective as a pesticide and sterilizing agent, but is also what makes the chemical a threat to human health and designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a carcinogen when inhaled.

EtO gas is also used to sterilize swabs used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can cause COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), local health departments, and other experts claim the EtO used in the swabs is completely safe.²

Ethylene Oxide Also Found in Baby Wipes, Cosmetics, Plastics

Despite being one of the most common sterilization tools in the health care industry,¹ EtO is heavily associated with lymphoma due to occupational exposure or accidental exposure from leaks at sterilization plants. Stomach and breast cancers may also be associated with exposures to the chemical. Sources of exposure for the general population may be through medical equipment, cosmetics, baby wipes, cleaning products, plastics, polyester clothing, and beekeeping equipment.¹

Some scientists argue that in the form of the nasal swab used for SARS-CoV-2 testing, the harmful effects of EtO are not applicable. “As [ethylene oxide] is a gas, there is no way it can be carried forward after the manufacturer into any of these products. We know this from decades of safety and toxicity research. The use is strictly controlled and regulated,” said Dr. Alexander Edwards, associate professor in biomedical technology at the University of Reading in England.²

Ethylene Oxide Banned in Europe

Governments in Europe have banned or restricted the use of ethylene oxide as a fumigant in food products. In February 2024, the European Union (E.U.) banned vanilla extract from the United States due to the frequent presence of EtO.³ The European Parliament has brought into question the presence of EtO in PCR test swabs since it is considered unsafe in food products. The government of the United Kingdom responded to this concern stating that the swabs fall under the category of limited contact time with EtO, posing a “minimal risk.”⁴

State Health Agencies Dispel “Myths” Surrounding Ethylene Oxide

U.S. state health departments have released flyers and other educational tools, which public health officials say answer questions and dispel “myths” surrounding ethylene oxide. However, the language is misleading. One commonly used justification included in the handouts is that EtO is used in everyday products such as laundry detergent and shampoo.^{5 6}

What has gone unmentioned is the fact that the EPA advises against use of products that contain EtO because of its carcinogenic properties. Some flyers also refute the claim that ethylene oxide is used in antifreeze, stating that it is actually a similarly named chemical known as ethylene glycol used in antifreeze. While this is partially true, EtO is, in fact, used to make up the ethylene glycol found in antifreeze.¹ None of the flyers mentioned the fact that ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen. A flyer from the Washington State Health Department states:

The process for sterilizing COVID-19 swabs is highly regulated and completely safe. Swabs are sterilized through exposure to ethylene oxide gas for a short, controlled amount of time. The sterilization process is assessed and evaluated from beginning to end to ensure the swab meets the rigorous safety standards of the FDA. There is no residual trace of ethylene oxide on the nasal swab when it is packaged.⁵

The flyer does appear to withhold important information from the public about the presence of a carcinogen in the testing swabs—information  to which individuals should have access to when determining for themselves whether the risks involved in getting tested for COVID outweigh the theoretical benefits.

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