EPA Identifies Athens For Ethylene Oxide Risk
By Michael V. Hannigan
The City of Athens was identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week as one of 23 communities nationwide facing an elevated risk posed by air emissions of ethylene oxide (EtO) from commercial sterilizers. In Athens, that sterilizer is Steritec, Inc.
An EPA spokesperson told me today the action was not caused by any violation on the part of Steritec. Rather, this is information being shared ahead of an air pollution regulation the EPA expects to propose later this year.
Ethylene oxide, a colorless gas, is used to sterilize devices that cannot be sterilized using steam or radiation, such as some medical and dental equipment.
In an announcement Wednesday, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said, “Today, EPA is taking action to ensure communities are informed and engaged in our efforts to address ethylene oxide, a potent air toxic posing serious health risks with long-term exposure.”
This week's action follows a recent effort by the EPA to collect information in support of the regulation it intends to propose.
"The agency found elevated risks at or above 100 in a million in residential areas at 23 of those sterilizers," according to the EPA announcement. "Long-term exposure to high concentrations of EtO can increase the lifetime risk of getting cancer."
According to the EPA, "A lifetime cancer risk of 100 in a million means that, if 1 million people were exposed to this level of EtO in the air 24 hours a day for 70 years, 100 people would be expected to develop cancer from that exposure."
"This is a worst-case scenario that assumes a person stays in the highest risk area 24 hours a day continuously for 70 years. EPA takes this approach because we want to be protective of the most exposed and most vulnerable individuals from risk associated with EtO emissions from this facility."
Public Meetings
The EPA will hold a national public webinar about Ethylene Oxide starting at 7 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Aug. 10. You can register for that online meeting here.
The EPA is scheduled to hold a community meeting for Athens on Tuesday, Sept. 20. No details of that meeting were available on Thursday, however.
For specific information about the Steritec site and to register to attend the Sept. 20 meeting, check here.
These posts are free thanks to Hannigan Media sponsors Athens Screen Printing, Tinsley Law & Title, Gibson Pharmacy, R&R Lawn Specialist, Gilbert Electric, Hunan Buffet, and Holt Wrecker.
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