The U . S . Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to “ engage and inform ” nearly two-dozen communities across the country where air pollution from commercial sterilizer plants has significantly increased lifetime cancer risks for nearby residents . The facilities use a toxic gas called ethylene oxide to sanitize medical and dental equipment and fumigate certain food products . The announcement comes after the EPA ’ s inspector general and news publications including ProPublica and The Texas Tribune highlighted the agency ’ s yearslong failure to inform communities of their risks .
The EPA said that its analysis of the industry ’ s self-reported emissions data showed that about a quarter of the nearly 100 commercial sterilizers the agency regulates are exposing nearby residents to unacceptable cancer risks from ethylene oxide . It posted risk maps and other information online for each of the high-risk facilities and announced dates for national and community-specific webinars and in-person meetings in the coming weeks .
“ Today EPA is taking action to ensure communities are informed and engaged in our efforts to address ethylene oxide , a potent air toxic posing serious health risks with long-term exposure ,” EPA administrator Michael S . Regan said in a statement . “ Under my watch , EPA will do everything we can to share critical information on exposure risk to the people who need and deserve this information , and to take action to protect communities from pollution .”
The EPA is also putting the finishing touches on a proposal to place stricter limits on how much ethylene oxide commercial sterilizers can release into the outside air ; it plans to unveil the plan later this year . The agency said Wednesday that it is planning to propose limits on ethylene oxide usage inside such facilities to better protect workers who handle the chemical , as well as people who work or attend school nearby .
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