EPA’s Proposal to Rescind Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Commercial Sterilizers
Kim
On March 17, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed rescinding several ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions standards for commercial sterilizers it finalized in 2024.
EtO is a flammable, colorless gas used to sterilize medical devices and some foods. It is a potent carcinogen when inhaled. Communities living near commercial sterilization facilities that use EtO — which are disproportionately low-income and communities of color — have suffered from a significantly higher rate of...