Congressman Troy Carter Statement on EPA Affirming Ethylene Oxide Health Risk Determination
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. member of the bipartisan congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force released the following statement about the Environmental Protection Agency’s Decision to stand by the 2016 IRIS Value of ethylene oxide (EtO):
“For too many in southeast Louisiana, environmental injustice isn’t an abstract concept, it’s a serious issue that many of my constituents face every day. Ethylene oxide is a dangerous air toxic that should be regulated in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of communities above all.
“As a member of the bipartisan Congressional EtO Task Force, I have heard firsthand how harmful EtO is to impacted communities. One of the Task Force’s top priorities has always been ensuring that the EPA upholds a strong standard in how they will regulate the chemical going forward – one that recognizes how toxic and dangerous ethylene oxide really is.
“The EPA’s decision today to uphold the 2016 IRIS value, despite the industry pushing for a weaker standard, is a huge step forward for our constituents who have been negatively impacted by EtO. I commend the EPA for listening and look forward to continued collaboration with the agency to reduce the harmful effects of EtO on our communities going forward. By locking the 2016 value into agency regulations, the EPA is demonstrating commitment to preserving public health and protecting affected communities.”
The bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force advocates for stricter regulation of EtO to protect public health. EtO is an industrial chemical used in chemical manufacturing sterilize medical devices. Since 2016, EtO has been deemed a “known carcinogen” and the release of the 2018 National Air Toxics Assessment identified several Illinois communities facing dangerously high EtO emissions.
The Task Force includes Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10), Sean Casten (IL-06), Bill Foster (IL- 11), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), David Scott (GA-13), Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Susan Wild (PA-07).
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