Final answer:
Exposure to ethylene oxide can cause respiratory irritation, skin rash, eye redness, headaches, nausea, and damage to several body systems due to its classification as a volatile organic compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The health effects resulting from exposure to ethylene oxide, an organic solvent, can be significant. Ethylene oxide is known to cause respiratory irritation, similar to the effects seen with other volatile organic compounds.
These compounds have the potential to irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and can lead to headaches, nausea, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
Moreover, some volatile organic compounds are carcinogenic, which means they can cause cancer. Ethylene oxide specifically can lead to cellular damage through the production of reactive oxygen species, suggesting that various forms of irritation and harm to the organism, including skin rash and eye redness, can result from exposure.