EPA Announces Final Rule to Reduce Exposure to Ethylene Oxide in Puerto Rico and Across the Nation

Several years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a community meeting for residents of Salinas, Puerto Rico to share information about health risks from the chemical ethylene oxide (EtO), which was being emitted from a local contract sterilization facility. In March of this year, EPA declared a new final rule to slash emissions of EtO at nearly 90 of these commercial sterilization facilities across the country.

According to the announcement:
The final amendments to the air toxics standards for ethylene oxide commercial sterilization facilities put in place the strongest measures in U.S. history to reduce emissions of EtO, one of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals. Through the installation of proven and achievable air pollution controls, commercial sterilizers will reduce emissions by more than 90%.

EPA is finalizing the following amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants that:

• Establish standards for currently unregulated emissions, such as building leaks (“room air emissions”) and chamber exhaust vents, to reduce cancer risk and account for technological developments in pollution control.
• Strengthen standards that are on the books for sources such as sterilization chamber vents and aeration room vents.
• Require continuous emissions monitoring and quarterly reporting for most commercial sterilizers that will provide communities, states, tribes and local governments, and EPA with data to ensure EtO emissions are not entering the outdoor air.
• Ensure that sterilizers are subject to emission standards during periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction so there is continuous clean air protection.

“The final rule is good news for residents of communities in Puerto Rico and across the country that are located near commercial sterilization facilities,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In support of efforts to reduce exposure to EtO and other industrial chemicals, Zimmetry offers environmental and industrial hygiene testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to detect and mitigate exposure risks in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean. These services protect workers and nearby residents, while also helping companies comply with health and safety regulations.”

Zimmetry sponsored an educational video about ethylene oxide and occupational exposure risks several years back that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/_-B8MFnk-ZQ

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, environmental, air quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

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