Tighter exposure limits and increased monitoring make up an interim decision finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday, aimed at mitigating carcinogenic emissions of ethylene oxide for workers at commercial sterilization facilities.
The interim decision adds on to 2024 National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for ethylene oxide, or EtO, which can cause cancer and other adverse health impacts under concentrated exposures.
The action includes a phasedown of exposure limits over a decade, as well as increased protection requirements for workers and solidifying a ban of EtO in certain industries, including in museum archival practices and spice production. …