In man, single exposures to high concentrations produced effects on the nervous system and blood, and occasionally affected heart function. Reproductive problems have been reported in small groups of workers presumably exposed to ethylene. Ethylene in liquid form has produced skin and eye injury and prolonged exposure to the gas has been associated with eye effects.
Liver enzyme activity was affected in rats which inhaled a low concentration whilst liver injury has been seen in mice exposed repeatedly to high concentrations. A long-term inhalation study generated no convincing evidence of carcinogenicity in rats. Ethylene was not mutagenic in Ames bacterial tests, but alkylated the DNA of mice exposed by inhalation.
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