Ethylene - C2H4

Ethylene - C2H4

Ethylene - C2H4

This page brings together the main information on ethylene (C2H4) or "ethene", its physical characteristics, its effects on health, the means of detecting it ( C2H4 gas detector ) as well as the appropriate respiratory protection equipment (gas mask or assisted ventilation device with type A anti-gas filter ).

Main characteristics of ethylene (C2H4)

Ethylene (C2H4), also called " ethene ", is used in many activities in the chemical industry; it is the basis of all petrochemicals, particularly in the manufacture of plastics. Its derivatives, such as ethylene oxide or ethanol, are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for their disinfectant properties. Finally, this gas is also used in the stimulation and ripening of many climacteric fruits (kiwis, bananas, etc.).

Health effects of ethylene

Colorless, ethylene (C2H4) is a gas that is difficult to detect by smell. Extremely flammable , its explosive limits are between 2.70% and 36% volume. In large quantities, it can cause irritation of the respiratory tract or dizziness . Although ethylene is not toxic in itself, it can transform into ethylene oxide in the body, a toxic substance and classified as carcinogenic by the IARC* .

*IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the WHO World Health Organization)

C2H4 (Ethylene) gas detector

Hardly detectable by smell, only a C2H4 gas detector can accurately measure the concentrations of this gas. Ethylene is a volatile organic compound with an ionizing power of 10.51 eV, so it is detectable (ethylene detection) with a VOC detector with photo-ionizing lamp.

For the calibration and gas testing of your fixed or portable gas detectors, ethylene standard gas cylinders are available.

Ethylene (C2H4) respiratory protection

At low concentrations, ethylene is a gas that can be filtered with type A anti-gas filtration. At high concentrations, it is an asphyxiating gas by suffocation, so we will move towards an insulating breathing apparatus or an air supply system for long-term interventions.