Ethylene Oxide Emissions to Be Cut by 90 Percent in New EPA Ruling

Ethylene oxide is the most common sterilant used for medical devices in the United States. The ruling will address emissions at nearly 90 facilities.

The logo of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seen in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2017. Getty Images

In a move to reduce Americans’ risk of cancer, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced measures to reduce ethylene oxide (EtO) use in commercial sterilization facilities by 90 percent. The ruling is to make it safer to live near commercial sterilization facilities by lowering toxic emission standards for the gas.

The new ruling, released on Thursday, is the most decisive measure taken against ethylene oxide in U.S. history and advances the Biden Administration’s commitment to ending cancer, an initiative called Cancer Moonshot, according to an EPA press release. It will address emissions at nearly 90 commercial sterilization facilities owned and operated by approximately 50 companies.