Cinnaminson, New Jersey, March 4, 2025
Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Interim Decision for Ethylene Oxide (EtO) – a pesticide used on 50 percent of all sterilized medical devices in the United States and on approximately 30 percent of dried herbs and spices.
According to the announcement:
The Interim Decision includes mitigation measures that, in addition to the measures included in the 2024 EtO National Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), will reduce exposure to workers and nearby communities. Together, these two EPA actions provide a comprehensive approach to addressing EtO pollution concerns, including cancer risk, that will increase safety in communities and for workers while supporting ongoing supply chain needs for sterilized medical equipment.
Some of the highlights of the Interim Decision for commercial sterilizers include:
- Lowered worker exposure limit of 0.5 ppm by 2028, 0.25 ppm by 2030, and 0.1 ppm by 2035, as compared to the 1984 OSHA limit of 1 ppm. Any workers who could be exposed to concentrations of EtO above these limits would need to wear additional respiratory protection.
- Requiring respirators to protect workers involved in certain high EtO exposure tasks, such as connecting and disconnecting EtO containers from sterilization process equipment.
- Continuous EtO concentration monitoring throughout sterilization facilities, including on-site storage facilities.
“This Interim Decision is good news for workers and communities near commercial sterilization facilities,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “To keep people safe from exposure risks, and to help companies comply health and safety regulations, EMSL’s network of environmental and industrial hygiene laboratories offer testing services, sampling supplies, and personal protective equipment to detect and mitigate contact with EtO and other chemicals.”
Several years ago, EMSL sponsored an educational video about ethylene oxide and occupational exposure concerns that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/_-B8MFnk-ZQ
To learn more about EtO or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.
|
Order Sampling Supplies
Request Pricing
Technical Questions
24/7 Account Access
Email Us
