By Ed Stuber
Last year, we brought you critical information on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed new legislation on EtO protection. Stepping into 2024, we’re back with an exciting update on ethylene oxide (EtO) for February.
You may remember from last year’s recap that ethylene oxide, a crucial element in the production of ethylene glycol and various other chemicals, continues to play a vital role in manufacturing antifreeze, textiles, plastics, detergents, and adhesives.
We also highlighted the EPA’s proposed regulations under FIFRA, aiming to enhance protections for workers and communities exposed to EtO during sterilization processes. Including the suggested requirements for PPE when EtO concentrations exceed 10 ppb, even for non-directly involved employees.
The Latest Updates:
ITRC’s Ethylene Oxide Emissions Guidance Document: Just in time for the new year, we’re excited to update you on the release of the EtO Guidance Document from the ITRC! This comprehensive document, over two years in the making, is now available online at itrcweb.org. Divided into 10 sections, it covers a range of critical topics, from properties and regulatory frameworks to community engagement and references.
ITRC Training Sessions: To complement the Guidance Document, the ITRC hosted an in-depth training session earlier this month. The goal was to inform and educate stakeholders on EtO, emphasizing communication strategies. The training covered characteristics, health hazards, best practices for sampling and analysis, and effective community outreach.
For those interested, the first training session will be available to watch here.
As we continue our commitment to innovation and quality services at SGS, we are proud to have provided routine EtO analytical services for many years. Our dedication extends to the development of validated GCMS analysis by EPA TO-15 SIM, addressing the need for extremely low-level ambient air analysis. With these new insights, we’re here for clients requiring sampling and analysis services to assess potential exposures to EtO.
If you missed my AIHA webinar on “Ethylene Oxide: Update from the ITRC and EPA,” you can catch the full video here.
As always, we are here to answer all your questions and provide quality analysis and monitoring solutions. Learn more about our EtO analysis services below and stay tuned for more updates coming soon.
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