Two Chicago-area companies are facing more stringent air quality regulations and new worker protections after officials found higher-than-expected cancer risks in dozens of American communities where ethylene oxide is used to sterilize medical equipment.
have thwarted, weakened or delayed efforts to limit exposure to EtO, relying on the same tactics used to stall action on more well-known hazards such as lead and asbestos.
After reviewing studies of animals and sterilization workers, EPA scientists concluded in 2006 that EtO was far more dangerous than previously thought. But it took the agency another decade to formally adopt aTwo panels of independent scientists generally agreed with the agency’s findings and rejected industry-financed studies that claimed to show EtO isn’t harmful at typical exposure levels.
“Sterigenics supports EPA’s mission and is firmly committed to regulation based on sound science,” the company said in a statement that once again criticized what it calls the agency’s “flawed” conclusions about ethylene oxide. Medline noted in its own statement that the company already reduced its Waukegan emissions by 95%. “Our top priority continues to be the safety of our employees, the communities where we operate and the healthcare providers and patients we serve,” the company said.The Medline Industries facilities is seen May 12, 2021, in Waukegan.
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