"EPA is set to ramp up scrutiny of facilities that do not currently report releases of a toxic gas as the Biden administration beefs up its environmental justice agenda.
The agency said in a statement today that 31 facilities are receiving letters notifying them of the potential for reporting requirements related to their use of ethylene oxide, which is used in medical sterilization practices as well as in agriculture and other sectors.
Sites receiving the letters, EPA said, are likely to exceed a 10,000-pounds-per-year threshold under the Toxics Release Inventory for chemicals not covered by manufacturing or processing efforts. Some facilities will also receive notifications pertaining to releases of ethylene glycol, which is produced using ethylene oxide, meaning they can occur together.
"EPA is committed to taking action to protect people from exposure to EtO, especially children, workers and residents in underserved and overburdened communities," EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff said in a statement."
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