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Cancer Gas Limits Loosened: Millions at Risk
8 Apr
Summary
- EPA proposes weaker limits on cancer-causing ethylene oxide gas.
- Two million Americans live near facilities with proposed rule changes.
- Stricter limits could disrupt medical equipment supply, EPA claims.
Health authorities are proposing to significantly relax regulations on ethylene oxide, a colorless gas recognized as a carcinogen. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put forth a new rule that would ease emission limits for approximately 90 commercial sterilization facilities nationwide.
This proposed change contrasts with a previous ruling that aimed for a 90 percent reduction in these emissions. The EPA stated that meeting the stricter 2024 limits would be nearly impossible for many facilities and is also considering rescinding mandatory round-the-clock emission monitoring. Industry proponents argue that these tighter controls could force plant closures, jeopardizing the availability of essential medical equipment.
Environmental groups, however, are sounding the alarm, asserting that the rollback puts millions of Americans, particularly those in low-income and minority neighborhoods, at higher risk of serious health issues, including various cancers. These communities are often situated within two miles of sterilization plants, raising concerns about long-term exposure and its consequences.
