EPA Wants to Clamp Down on Common Sterilization Gas

By Jonathan Springston, Editor, Relias Media

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week proposals to limit worker exposure to ethylene oxide, a gas commonly used to sterilize medical equipment that can be dangerous to human health.

Under the authority of the Clean Air Act, the EPA seeks to create new standards for ethylene oxide for more than 80 commercial sterilizers, which the agency estimates could reduce emissions from those facilities by 80%. The EPA would give facilities 18 months to comply with these standards, although the agency notes many manufacturers have been working on their own to limit exposure for workers.

Additionally, under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the EPA proposes instituting rules about exposure to the gas. These include mandating proper personal protective equipment for workers handling the agent and using engineering controls to improve ventilation and emissions capture.

“[These regulations] would significantly reduce worker and community exposure to harmful levels of ethylene oxide,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA will continue to use every available tool to safeguard our nation’s communities, including workers, from exposure to toxic chemicals and to deliver important public health protections.”

In August 2022, the EPA laid the groundwork for this week’s announcement when it announced a partnership with the FDA to raise awareness about ethylene oxide and engage Americans in community meetings to explain why this issue is important. The EPA plans to host a national webinar on May 1, 2023, to talk more about its recent proposals.

For more on this and related subjects, be sure to read the latest issues of Healthcare Risk Management, Hospital Employee Health, and Hospital Infection Control & Prevention.