In March 2025, EPA sent a letter to the Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Association announcing plans to reconsider the agency’s standards for emissions of the carcinogen ethylene oxide (EtO). The Trump Administration also invited industry to seek exemptions from the 2024 rule. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) requested a two-year exemption for all its members which could cover 88 EtO-emitting facilities nationwide.
Background:
In April 2024, EPA finalized new standards for emissions of ethylene oxide (EtO), a human carcinogen, from commercial sterilizers. EPA estimated the new standards would lower EtO emissions from commercial sterilizers by 90%. In addition to setting more stringent EtO emissions standards, the rule would have increased accountability and transparency by requiring continuous emissions monitoring and quarterly reporting for most commercial sterilizers.
EPA estimated that reducing EtO exposure would help alleviate cancer risk for workers and nearby communities. Of the 88 covered facilities, EPA found many are located near residences, schools, and other public facilities, and 23 pose high lifetime cancer risks to surrounding communities, including several facilities in Puerto Rico.
We track implementation of EPA’s EtO standards on our regulatory tracker.