Thirteen AGs Sent Comments Supporting EPA’s Standards for Ethylene Oxide Emissions from Sterilization Facilities
JUNE 27, 2023
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 13 attorneys general in sending comments responding to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for ethylene oxide emissions from sterilization facilities. Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a flammable and highly reactive gas used to sterilize medical instruments and other products. Chronic contact with EtO is associated with cancer, reproductive effects, mutagenic changes, and neurotoxicity. In their comments, the AGs highlighted the negative health impacts of EtO emissions, and urged EPA to swiftly finalize the standards. The AGs also called on EPA to improve certain aspects of the proposal, including considering the cumulative effects of pollution on populations exposed to EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers, among other technical recommendations to improve monitoring and regulation of EtO emissions.
- Documents: Comments
- Document Type: Comment Letters
- States: Colorado Connecticut Illinois Maryland Massachusetts Michigan New Jersey New York Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Wisconsin
- Agencies: Environmental Protection Agency
- Issues: Clean Air & Climate Environmental Justice Public Health Toxics
- Era: Biden Administration
- Action Type: Rulemaking & Other Federal Administrative Proceedings