The following statement is from Dr. Tracey J. Woodruff, former EPA senior scientist, UCSF professor, and director of the UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment and the UCSF EaRTH Center on EPA’s new rule on EtO, ethylene oxide:
“We applaud EPA for strengthening standards to reduce emissions of cancer-causing EtO (ethylene oxide). This final rule, which will reduce EtO emissions by 90%, is a major step to reducing cancer risk and protecting the health of communities surrounded by EtO-emitting facilities.
I testified before Congress last year on the need for reducing exposures to EtO, which is highly carcinogenic and polluting. After they reviewed the data, EPA said EtO “is more potent” than we thought.
EtO is used in the sterilization of medical equipment, and it poses serious risks to people who come into contact with it, including workers at EtO facilities and people in the communities where these plants are located. The good news is that some medical institutions have already been moving away from using EtO to reportedly safer alternatives.
It is important to note that EPA took this step after much engagement with scientists, OSHA, and people from high-risk communities and we are particularly pleased that EPA is using the most up-to-date science for its EtO risk assessment.
That said, EPA did leave a few areas unregulated. We urge EPA to continue to reduce EtO exposures and protect the communities most at risk.”
