The EPA, states, community groups and corporations continue to disagree – as the May 29 deadline for a new EPA regulation for EO draws near. – Andersen
Texas says ethylene oxide is far less hazardous than the US Environmental Protection Agency determined in 2016. MORE…
Despite its somewhat sensational title, this opinion piece contains solid information on the recent history of EO and why the medical community should take another look at the science backing this incredibly effective sterilant. -Andersen
Issues & Insights — Medical devices can do more harm than good unless properly sterilized and disinfected by applying agents such as Ethylene Oxide (EtO) gas. And, because of deeply flawed federal studies and subsequent state and local actions based on this shoddy science, production of sterilizing agents such as EtO has been put on the backburner. Policymakers must examine all the evidence at hand and keep patients safe from COVID-19 contamination. MORE…
Atlanta Journal-Constitution — The state’s first air test for a carcinogenic gas used by several industrial facilities across Georgia showed it at a level well above what is deemed acceptable by federal regulators.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency, which analyzed the sample, said in a statement that the test result is a preliminary estimate. The agency said, “The sample collected at the South DeKalb monitoring site provides a measurable level of ethylene oxide that cannot clearly be linked to a particular source.” MORE…
Medical Design and Outsourcing — Sterigenics and the state of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency have reached a consent agreement to reopen the company’s Willowbrook medical device sterilization plant. The state EPA ordered the plant closed in February 2019, citing excessive emissions of the sterilant EO. MORE…
WGN9 — Governor Pritzker has signed legislation imposing the nation’s strictest limits on ethylene oxide emissions. WATCH…
Chicago Tribune — Legislation tightening restrictions for use of the cancer-causing chemical ethylene oxide passed through both the Illinois Senate and House this week, and is being sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for approval. MORE…
BloombergEnvironment.com — The Environmental Protection Agency should expand air monitoring activities to more Illinois industrial sites emitting ethylene oxide, two senators from the state said. MORE…
CBS Chicago, by US EPA Statement — Sterigenics and the EPA released the following statements after the EPA performed air quality tests after the Sterigenics plant was ordered to stop using ethylene oxide. MORE…
