Trump EPA moves to roll back recent limits on ethyene oxide, a carcinogen

"The Trump EPA is committed to ensuring life-saving medical devices remain available for the critical care of America's children, elderly, and all patients without unnecessary exposure to communities. The government said the emissions are part and parcel of protecting people from lethal or significantly debilitating infections that would result without properly sterilized medical equipment."

"An estimated 50% of sterile medical devices in the U.S. are treated with ethylene oxide, or EtO, particularly those that can't be cleaned using steam or radiation. The colorless gas is also used to make chemicals found in products such as antifreeze, detergents, plastics and adhesives."

"Short-term exposure by inhalation can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue respiratory irritation and other adverse health effects, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Longer-term exposure increases the risk of cancers of the white blood cells."

The Trump administration's EPA announced plans to repeal emissions standards for ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic chemical used to sterilize approximately 50% of sterile medical devices in the United States. The agency estimates the rollback would save companies $630 million over 20 years and protect the supply of essential medical equipment. About 90 commercial sterilization facilities nationwide are affected, with approximately a dozen located in California. While the EPA argues the emissions are necessary to prevent infections from improperly sterilized medical equipment, environmental groups oppose the rollback, citing preventable health risks. Ethylene oxide exposure causes short-term effects including headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation, with longer-term exposure increasing cancer risk.

Read at Los Angeles Times