These emissions will be cut by nearly 80%, the agency said April 9. Other than EtO and chloroprene, other toxic air pollutant targets include benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride.
The new clean air standards are projected to reduce the number of people with elevated cancer risks by 96%, the agency said. In mid-March, the EPA told 88 sterilizers and two planned facilities to comply with what are the strongest air standards enacted in U.S. history for ethylene oxide, a potent carcinogen.
After hearing feedback from the American Hospital Association and Premier, the EPA prolonged the compliance window for the rule: Depending on their size, companies have two to three years to meet these standards.
