All articles tagged with #ethylene oxide
California officials say two common ambient air contaminants, acrolein and ethylene oxide, may pose cancer risks more than 10 times benzene (about 800 in 1 million), prompting a 45‑day public comment period as OEHHA updates risk values; the finding emerges amid federal rollbacks on ethylene oxide and ongoing concerns about California’s air quality.
The Biden administration has announced a new regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency targeting over 200 chemical plants to reduce toxic pollutants, specifically ethylene oxide and chloroprene, in an effort to decrease the risk of cancer for communities living near industrial sites, particularly in areas like Cancer Alley in Louisiana. This marks the first tightening of limits on pollution from chemical plants in nearly two decades, with a focus on areas with disproportionately Black or Latino communities experiencing elevated rates of cancer and respiratory problems.
The EPA has announced stricter limits on ethylene oxide emissions from medical sterilization facilities, aiming to reduce exposure to the cancer-causing gas in disadvantaged communities. While some criticize the rule as too weak, the medical device industry warns of potential disruptions to the supply chain. The rule targets emissions from nearly 90 sterilization facilities, requiring a reduction of over 90 percent, but allows for extended compliance deadlines. Ethylene oxide is used to sterilize about half of all U.S. medical supplies, and the rule aims to address environmental justice concerns and public health impacts in affected communities.
Congressman Byron Donalds toured the Lee Sars American Contract Systems plant in Fort Myers, which has been emitting cancerous gas called Ethylene Oxide (ETO) since its opening in 2011. The facility voluntarily installed scrubbers to reduce ETO emissions by 99.9%. The Center for Disease Control conducted a cancer cluster study in nearby neighborhoods but found no discernible findings. Donalds is pushing for more specific testing for those concerned about future cancer risks and advocating for transparency in addressing the issue.
Nigeria's food and drug regulator, NAFDAC, is investigating the popular Indomie brand of instant noodles following recalls in Malaysia and Taiwan where health authorities say they detected a potentially cancer-causing substance called ethylene oxide in the "special chicken" flavor of the noodles. NAFDAC is analyzing samples of the product and its seasoning and will scrutinize other brands of instant noodles offered for sale to Nigerians. Indomie is produced by a local manufacturer, and the "special chicken" flavor noodles are not available for sale in Nigeria.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to limit the use of ethylene oxide, a chemical used to sterilize billions of medical devices each year, after finding higher than expected cancer risk at facilities that use it. The proposal will reduce ethylene oxide emissions by roughly 80% by targeting 86 medical sterilization facilities across the United States. The companies will also have to test for the antimicrobial chemical in the air and make sure their pollution controls are working properly. Ethylene oxide is a gas used to sterilize roughly half of all medical devices and is also used to ensure the safety of certain spices and other food products.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new restrictions on facilities that use ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical used to sterilize medical devices and spices. The proposed rules aim to reduce ethylene oxide gas emissions by 80%, bringing them below a Clean Air Act standard for elevated cancer risk. Environmental groups have applauded the proposed restrictions, but noted that they don't go far enough to protect vulnerable communities. The proposed rules would apply to 86 commercial sterilization facilities in the US that use ethylene oxide gas to fumigate spices and medical devices.
The EPA is proposing tougher standards on several toxic chemicals, including ethylene oxide, which is widely used for sterilizing medical equipment. However, parts of the healthcare and chemical industries are warning that these rule changes could disrupt the supply of safe medical equipment, affecting hospitals and clinics nationwide. Environmental groups and EPA officials say tougher rules are needed because far too many Americans are burdened by pollution from ethylene oxide, which the EPA says is a carcinogen. The agency is also planning to announce rule changes specifically for ethylene oxide, setting more-stringent standards for the businesses that use it and suppliers who register to sell it.